It was a thrilling night for Wales and the West, who bagged a hat-trick but star Billy Loughnane is back at the top of the jockeys’ standings after winning at Bennetot.
A strong start for the East Team
It looked like a strong start for the leaders from Week 3 as they claimed the opener with Nazron. He was faster in week 4 in the Racing League under Daniel Muscutt. The three-year-old has been very consistent and has shown how good he can be when he settles down well and patiently waits for the leading duo.
Then he lowered himself into a steady position to go home clear. Yorkshire achieved significant marks with third and fourth place in this contest. However, this success was short-lived.
Nazron added to the lead for Timur Timur
Home ground success for London and the South
The second race showed the depth of the home team. It’s first and second for London and South on home soil as Great Acclaim and Post Rider fight for the line to secure maximum points. Great Acclaim will have to open up the most to chase down their team-mates and continue to do a good job of disputing penalties, following last week’s win at Chepstow for the purple team.
The Post Riders did their best to chase down the champions but to no avail with the Irish side claiming a vital point again in third for Billy Loughnane.
Great Acclaim notched back to back Racing League wins in Windsor
28-1 Surprised
North claimed a vital point in the third race of the evening as Mick Quinn’s team caused an upset as Life On The Rocks remained impressive to be outside champions. Running away from speed saw him sweep God Of Fire (London and South) to deny time five. The journey from Malton was made worthwhile for Richard Fahey when he claimed the prize pot.
A good joker from London and the South
Although Ireland had the first winner of the week in the 7.00 contest with Billy Loughnane giving Bennetot a wonderful ride, it was London and South who emerged at the top of the table. Loughnane was patient and didn’t rush his horse and the perfect gap appeared for him with the Scot also getting some much needed points from Love De Vega in second.
This win gives Loughnane some breathing room at the top of the table as she has a 20 point lead over defending champion Saffie Osborne. But Matt Chapman’s well-timed joker secured double points for Racingbreaks Ryder third and Arctic Thunder eighth which sent them top of the standings to less than 20 points behind Wales and the West.
Jockey Billy Loughnane celebrates his win at Bennetot
Wales and the West come out on top
Wales and West secured their place at the top of the table with wins in the fourth, sixth and seventh races.
In the fourth, two horses in great form battled out as Lieber Power (London and South) and Night Breeze (Wales and West) were caught up in the tassle to the line. Lieber Power denied double League Racing, but a hat-trick for the championship. It was less than straightforward for the winner because he had to dig deep. This race was important as Night Breeze scored maximum points to send Wales and the West into the lead.
Toca Madera was Benoit de la Sayette’s first victory of the evening
This important maximum point shot did not end as the famous Toca Madera was not thrown by Hayley Turner and the Regal Envoy, if anything was played for Benoit De La Sayette. It’s a strong pace to open in and with two furlongs to go Toca Madera digs deep to come out on top and pull clear from Regal Messenger.
The last lucky has Wales and West clear with the champion and third, Parlando and Sean. Parlando waited for a gap to appear down the rail and had some space. It also allowed Osborne onboard Sean to follow him which proved crucial to the points. Going through Gir like no one else in the field Parlando went clear leaving Scotland, London and the South and East fighting for the spoils.
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