As the Racing League action shifts to Newcastle on Thursday, the competition remains tight at the top, with London and The South hoping Jumby will be their key to success in the evening’s highlight—the £75,000 tote.co.uk Let’s Gan Into Toon Racing League R35 Handicap.
With just 4.5 points separating them from leading Wales and The West, Matt Chapman is counting on Eve Johnson Houghton’s six-year-old Jumby to make a significant impact. This comes just five days after Jumby’s narrow third-place finish in the Hungerford Stakes.
London and The South are set to field a strong team at Gosforth Park, buoyed by their recent success at Windsor, which propelled them to second in the Racing League standings.
Chapman commented: “Windsor was a great event for us, but it was likely the strongest team we've ever put out for a Racing League meeting. We’ve exceeded expectations, thanks to contributions from Andrew Balding, Jack Channon, the Kublers, and Eve Johnson Houghton.”
Key contenders for Newcastle include Andrew Balding’s Storm Star, stepping up to a mile for the first time, and Who’s Glen, an unexposed handicap debutant. Daniel and Claire Kubler will rely on Accrual and Al Rufaa, both recent runners-up, while Ben Brookhouse’s Lucky’s Dream and Secret Beach are also in the mix.
Wales and The West, who have been dominant since the regional switch, are now at the top of the table. Jamie Osborne’s team, Racing League champions in 2022 and narrowly defeated last year, are aiming for a strong finish at Newcastle, particularly with Harry Charlton’s Ten Pounds and Clive Cox’s Kingdom Come, who excels on all-weather surfaces.
Osborne noted: “We’re fielding a solid team, though putting together 14 competitive runners has been challenging. The competition seems to be narrowing down to three teams, and while Ireland’s chances have faded, we’re confident in our strength for the final race at Newcastle.”
The East's lead faltered at Windsor, leaving them over 40 points behind the leaders. Meanwhile, Ireland's title defence has struggled, shifting focus to ensuring Billy Loughnane becomes the leading jockey. The North, Yorkshire, and Scotland are competing for the bottom positions in the standings.