The Neighsayers - Racing League Week 3

Much better work last week round Wolves with 2 winners coming from Thunder Blue and Willem Twee and then a place from Lough Leane. This week the racing league rolls into Wales and the west playground at Chepstow, let's hope there isn't a repeat of last year with the Fire Alarm delaying proceeding's.

Race 1 - 1m handicap

Now I have no doubts Dutch Decoy is the right favourite here but could he be over-bet after that Goodwood run? Absolutely. I'm willing to take a chance on Royal Ascot eye-catcher AZAHARA PALACE. Well out of her depth at Ascot on ratings but ran a cracker to finish 8th of 24, not beaten far considering the front 2 were 4 1/2 lengths clear of the 3rd. Can excuse her modest 6th last time out as she was keen early for a certain jockey, which is strange as she's never been keen in 9 of her 10 previous starts. The only other time she was keen, was for the same jockey... She has some handy course form too, albeit at a lower level than this but she's 3-3 at Chepstow. A tactically versatile horse so happy wherever she races but a preference would be not too far away from the pace.

Selection - Azahara Palace E/W (13/2 Paddy, WH, 6/1 General 4pl)

Race 2 - 7f handicap

Team Ireland hold a strong hand here and wouldn't surprise me if they placed their joker card here, but I think one holds a much better chance than the other. BRUNEL NATION just has to be going close here, this looks a race that lacks depth and he has the strongest form on offer in here and still well handicapped on that form. His 4th at Goodwood is serious form for the grade, with the 2nd a listed winner/placed horse since then, as well as winning a handicap. The 4th won at glorious Goodwood last week and then the 6th won a Newmarket handicap at the July meeting, where the selection finished 3rd. Still unexposed with this only being his 10th run he can continue to go on. As for the other Irish runner, Etoile D'alexandre, I have no doubts she's well handicapped also but she's running over the wrong trip for me. She's rapid and back to 6 furlongs should see her continue.

Selection - Brunel Nation (5/1 William Hill, 9/2 General) *if you can get the 5/1 with hills, should be an each way to nothing. 9/2 win only will be recorded on the P/L though

Race 3 - 6f handicap

No prizes for originality again but EMINENCY looks to have a great chance dropping back to 6 furlongs which is undoubtedly his trip. Has some great from in better 6 furlong handicaps than this and off higher marks too. Race looks incredibly thin away from the market 3 (Ingra Tor, Eminency and Gisburn). Now Ingra Tor is interesting but Gisburn whilst well treated is hard to get right and would prefer ease in the ground. Ingra Tor still looks high enough in the weights last time at Yarmouth although could be excused for being close to sub 11 second fractions. EMINENCY is the selection here though for the East who are flying along.

Selection - Eminency (7/2 Bet365, 100/30 General)

Race 4 - 5f handicap

Apparently I'm running a Stuart Williams fan club here? EXISTENT looks a fair price to find out especially as an each way bet. Loves to come off a strong pace and with Apeeling, Radio Goo Goo, Manilla Scouse and Star of Lady M likely wanting to lead, they could fall in the proverbial hole, hopefully leaving it to the closers. The selection normally runs his race in some sort of head gear, most commonly tongue tie or cheek pieces but today gets the visor which is no negative and with the stands side draw, if the gaps come he holds a chance.

Selection - Existent EW (9/1 Bet365, 17/2 WH, 8/1 Boyles, Coral, Lads 4pl)

Race 5 - 1m 4f handicap

This race could be hard to get into for those held up, few of them look suited to a strong pace and that doesn't look obvious here. Walter Hartright and WAHRAAN look the two to take the lead, granted WAHRAAN gets out on terms and he is the selection. The slight drop back in trip for the selection should work the oracle having just been collared close home. Highly doubt Wales and the west will go away winless tonight and this looks a great chance.

Selection - Wahraan (9/2 General)

Race 6 -1m 2f handicap

We're well of the cliff with this lad so why stop now? if KING LEAR steps forward from that Yarmouth run, now dropping in grade he could be one of the best 4/1 shots of the season, but he could also be one of the worst. That's what keeps us coming back to this lad. Now they've put the pieces on him here, not really sure why as he doesn't look to need them but if they perk him up any amount he'll have a big say in the outcome of this race. There was clearly hope around him last time, he was unbelievably strong on the show, going off 7/2 from around 13/2 on the show, 9/1 the night before.

Selection - King Lear (4/1 General)

Race 7 - 7f handicap

Will take a chance on GORAK in the finale, been no secret that Charlie Fellowes has had a pretty big involvement in the race planning for Team East and has probably had the call of the races for one of his flag bearers. He is slowly dropping in the weights but hasn't shown many signs of resurgence in his last 2 runs but, if he's been targeted for one of these races, he could hold a fair chance. Similar could apply to Gorak obviously but a few of these look a shade high in the weights and Carrytheone is constantly unlucky, can it still be considered unlucky?

Selection - Gorak EW (14/1 Coral, Lads, Boyles, Bet365)