Despite their best ever Racing League week with three wins, Scotland had to settle for second place after a thrilling opening week in Yarmouth, with London & The South holding onto top spot ahead of Wolverhampton Wanderers by two points.
Pictured: Yarmouth hosts today's Racing League race
It was Matt Chapman's London & The South team who left Yarmouth with bragging rights after a thrilling opening of the Racing League season at Yarmouth.
In difficult Norfolk conditions it was London & The South who started the first race with the advantage when Fantasy World beat Sportingsilvermine (Scotland). Under David Probert, Andrew Balding's men beat team-mate Papageya two furlongs from home before catching the aforementioned favourite James Owen to score 25 points.
Race two saw a good showing for Ireland as Tuco Salamanca (5-2 favourite) was obliging for trainer Ollie Sangster and jockey Billy Loughnane, and race three saw a thrilling three-way battle.
Scotland took a third win as Pole Star (7-2) won race six for Charlie Johnston and Joe Fanning, aided by some exceptionally clever riding. The three-year-old has won two of his five starts, with Fanning making his challenge at the right time to beat favourite Miller Spirit 3-1.
Having just knocked London & South off the top of the table, Scotland were set to bounce back in the final. Runners-up in this main race last year, Andalip outdid themselves under Richard Kingscote this time around, holding off Kitaal (Scotland) at the distance and reclaiming the lead heading into week two in Wolverhampton.
Jamie Osborne opted to play as the Wales and West joker in the final race but had to settle for third with 6-5 favourite Wave Rider.
Final Table – Week 1
London and the South – 158
Scotland – 156
East – 135
Ireland – 90
Wales and West – 83
North – 70
Yorkshire – 50
Sourse: skysports.com
