Team Scotland's sensational start to the 2025 Racing League season has set the stage for an electrifying second week of competition at Wolverhampton this Thursday, July 31. Manager Alex Steedman celebrated a remarkable hat-trick of winners at Yarmouth last week with Mister Bluebird, Solar Aclaim, and Pole Star, a feat that has catapulted Team Scotland into a fierce battle at the top of the leaderboard, just two points shy of Matt Chapman’s London & The South, who currently lead with 156 points.
The excitement continues to build as the Racing League shifts to the all-weather surface at Wolverhampton, with live coverage available on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 519). The seven-race card promises plenty of drama and strategic plays as teams vie for crucial points in this tightly contested league.
One of the key races to watch is the 1m6f handicap at 6:45 PM, where Team Scotland is heavily invested in their chances. La Pulga, ridden by Paul Mulrennan who wears the blue jersey for the first time, carries a 5lb penalty following a dominant six-length victory at Newcastle last weekend. Despite the penalty, confidence remains high that La Pulga can continue to pile on the points. Alongside him runs Charging Thunder, another reliable contender with an excellent all-weather record, piloted by rising star Mason Paetel, who celebrated his 18th birthday with a win on Mister Bluebird. Paetel’s youthful enthusiasm and skill have already made a significant impact on Team Scotland’s campaign.
Earlier in the evening, the 6f handicap at 5:45 PM features the dependable Chuti Manika, who returned to winning ways at Catterick earlier this month. Although he has yet to secure a synthetic surface win, a modest 2lb rise in his handicap rating leaves him well positioned. This race also marks the debut of Jim Goldie’s Eternal Sunshine for Team Scotland, adding another layer of intrigue to this competitive heat.
At 7:15 PM, the feature Class 2 Racing League Race 11 Handicap showcases a star-studded field. Al Shabab Storm, representing Team Yorkshire and rated 109, will top the weights with Jack Nicholls claiming 7lb. This Group 3-winning four-year-old impressed on his debut for Marco Botti’s yard at Wolverhampton and looks to bounce back after a lesser run at Doncaster. Facing him is Willem Twee from Team East, a proven all-weather performer who won this very race last year and finished a strong third at Newcastle in May. Other notable contenders include Change Sings, who boasts four wins from seven all-weather starts, and Barbapapa, a rare flat runner for Henry de Bromhead, ridden by Kieran O'Neill.
Meanwhile, the 8:15 PM Racing League Race 13 Handicap pits Mr Swivell of Team East against Hickory, representing reigning champions Wales & The West. Hickory, a seven-year-old who recently finished third in the prestigious International Stakes at Ascot, is aiming to deliver valuable points for his team after a subdued first week at Yarmouth. Mr Swivell has been in excellent form since transferring to Kevin Philippart De Foy’s stable, with two wins and two runner-up finishes in four starts, including a career-best second at Newmarket last month. Also in this race is Believe The Storm, who has been consistently placing for Team East, and Obelix, fresh off a win at York and a strong hope for Team Scotland.
The final race of the night, the 8:45 PM Racing League Race 14 Handicap, sees week one winner Andaleep of London & The South aiming to continue his hot streak. Trained by Daniel and Claire Kubler, Andaleep secured his 11th career victory in the feature 10-furlong handicap at Yarmouth last week. He faces stiff competition from Fox Avatar, a Frankel gelding who recently won comfortably at Chelmsford and is expected to step up to tougher contests this summer. Penzance, representing Wales & The West, will also be in the mix after an encouraging debut run at Gowran Park, alongside contenders Londoner and Dancing Steve from Ireland.
Opening the card at 5:45 PM is the Class 4 Racing League Race 8 Handicap, which features last-time winners Raffles Angel of Wales & The West and Chuti Manika of Scotland. Ireland's The Thames Boatman also holds strong claims, stepping back up to six furlongs after two less successful attempts over five furlongs.
Outside the Racing League, expert handicappers have offered free tips for Thursday’s races at Galway, Goodwood, and Wolverhampton, highlighting horses like Hickory, who ran impressively at Ascot and is expected to perform well again at Wolverhampton despite a 2lb rise in his mark. Other tips include Point Of Contact at Goodwood, Marty Hopkirk’s promising handicap debut, Addragoole’s potential over 2 miles at Galway, and Midnight Lion’s drop back in distance at Wolverhampton, all adding layers of interest for punters and fans alike.
Alex Steedman’s strategic approach to team selection and race entries reflects a careful balance between trusting his existing squad and considering last-minute reinforcements. Although he nearly made an additional signing before the Wolverhampton declaration stage, Steedman chose to maintain squad morale and confidence, a decision that speaks to his leadership style. His focus remains on maximizing the strengths of his current team as they look to build on their impressive Yarmouth performance.
With London & The South and Team Scotland locked in a thrilling battle, and reigning champions Wales & The West seeking redemption after a quiet opening week, the Racing League at Wolverhampton promises high stakes and intense competition. Fans can expect a night packed with tactical racing, emerging talents like Mason Paetel, and seasoned performers striving to tip the scales in their team’s favor.
As the league progresses, the competition will eventually move south to venues like Chepstow and Windsor, where trainers William Knight and Heather Main, among others, are poised to make their mark. Their horses, including the promising Tilted Kilt and Iconic Times, could be pivotal in the coming rounds, adding further excitement to the unfolding Racing League saga.
For now, all eyes will be on Wolverhampton this Thursday, where every race counts and the battle for the Racing League title intensifies. With live coverage on Sky Sports Racing, fans won’t want to miss the action as Team Scotland aims to continue their march toward a first-ever league triumph, while London & The South look to extend their slender lead. The dynamic between these teams, the strategies employed, and the star performances on track promise a night of thrilling racing drama.
