Jamie Osborne is optimistic that Wales & The West can reignite their Racing League campaign on home turf when the competition resumes for its third night at Chepstow on Thursday, August 7.
The defending champions have endured a difficult start, managing only one win and a single placed finish from 27 runners across the opening two fixtures at Great Yarmouth and Wolverhampton.
Currently sixth in the standings with 169 points, Wales & The West trail table-toppers The East, who lead the way on 289 points but have significantly already used both of their jokers.
Wales & The West team manager Jamie Osborne commented: "I think Beylerbeyi looks to have a leading chance in Race 20 (20:00) and I would imagine he will go off favourite after winning easily at Newmarket last weekend. Burren Song looks a good backup option in that race as well. I would say this is our strongest race, although I feel we have nice chances all the way through. "Addison Grey is an interesting runner in Race 15 (17:30), making his handicap debut for Clive Cox. However, I am not convinced Saffie [Osborne] is on the right one, as I think my horse Thunder Blue has a squeak at what will be an each-way price.
"I think we should go well in Race 19 (19:30), with Chris Mason's improving All Ways Glamorous. So Smart is another good option with course form, which does them no harm in these sprints at Chepstow in my opinion."
Meanwhile, London & The South ended the Wolverhampton leg without a win but still climbed to second in the table with 270 points, thanks to three runner-up finishes. Team manager Matt Chapman was upbeat about their standing given the fixtures so far.
Chapman said: "I would like to say a big thank you to Nicola Currie, who is coming to Chepstow for one ride on Manila Thriller in Race 21 (20:30). She is doing a low weight of 8st 3lb as well and I appreciate the effort. I hope I can reward her later in the Racing League campaign.
"I would have probably played a joker on Great Acclaim and King's Lynn in Race 17 (18:30) but there are only 10 runners. Great Acclaim has been terrific in Racing League over the years and comes in on the back of a win at Goodwood, while King's Lynn is in the mould of an Andaleep and always runs his race.
"I am delighted Andrew Balding runs Lieber Power, who goes for a repeat win in Race 20 (20:00). He comes up against a horse called Beset, who is part-owned by Nick Luck and Kevin Blake. I would like to say that I was not totally happy that Nick took it upon himself to ring up my trainers to see if they were running, when he could have just asked me. Clearly, Nick is scared of me!"
The bottom half of the standings remain tight, with just 32 points separating Yorkshire in fourth and The North in seventh. Despite sitting last, The North have registered winners at both meetings so far, including Stormy Impact's success in the feature race at Wolverhampton.
Team boss Mick Quinn believes his side is building nicely as the season progresses.
Quinn said: "We were really looking forward to our chances in the opener, Race 15 (17:30), with Juan Les Pins and Northern Spirit, who both ran well in the same race at York last time. I was half
thinking of playing a joker, but they have been drawn well away from the favoured stands' rail, which may just scupper it.
"Race 16 (18:00) could be good for us as well. We have Lir Speciale, who was just touched off at Yarmouth on his comeback from wind surgery, plus an unknown quantity in Boubyan, who makes his debut for Mick Appleby. Mick has not had him long, but they like what they have seen and he could be nicely weighted with the three-year-old allowance.
"We have had winners at both meetings so far and fingers crossed that continues at Chepstow. The aim for us is to stay in touch, with the hope we can come on strongly later in the competition."
Manager's Picks:
Jamie Osborne – Wales & The West: Beylerbeyi (4/1), Addison Grey (4/1), All Ways Glamorous (5/1)
Matt Chapman – London & The South: Great Acclaim (9/4)
Mick Quinn – The North: Lir Speciale (15/2), Juan Les Pins (15/2), Boubyan (20/1)
