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Team competition comes to a close at Newcastle on Thursday.

Tom Clover carries the hopes of Goat Racing as they try to catch Team ThoroughBid in the dash to the line at Newcastle for the William Hill Racing League title.

Goat Racing kept the gap at the top to just four points after a see-saw penultimate night of action at Lingfield last week.

As the inaugural edition of the six-week competition culminates at Gosforth Park on Thursday, Clover supplies three of his team's six runners – in Sugauli , Cash Machine  and Electric Love .

There are 25 points up for grabs to the winner of each race, so he is well aware he could be Goat's hero – or otherwise – as he and his fellow Newmarket trainers and friends Charlie Fellowes, Hugo Palmer and George Scott try to unseat ThoroughBid's powerhouse pair of Andrew Balding and Richard Hannon.

Scott is not represented in the final League instalment – but Fellowes runs dual Lingfield winner Billhilly, and Palmer relies on Red October, on target for the team last week, and competition newcomer Eastern Sheriff.

Clover admits he is both feeling the pressure a little, and sensing an opportunity.

"We're only four points behind Richard Hannon and Andrew Balding, (so) it would be fantastic for a smaller team like us," he said.

"George (Scott) and I are certainly on the smaller scale, and it would be amazing if someone like us could win – because I think that's what it was designed for.

"Hannon and Balding can have a crack at each other on most Saturdays at Group One tracks – whereas this is a great opportunity for George and me to try, with our nice handicappers and our progressive three-year-olds.

"We can have a crack at some good money, and really showcase that we can train them well."

Clover is optimistic that Goat could just have the firepower to overhaul the long-time leaders.

"I think we're sending quite a decent team out," he added.

"You can make a case for all of them."

Of his own contenders, the three-year-old Cash Machine goes in the penultimate race on the card; Sugauli makes his second League appearance over the mile, after running well in fifth at Doncaster, and Electric Love is Goat's last throw of the dice in the closing William Hill Double Your Odds Racing League R36 over five furlongs.

Clover said: "I thought probably Cash Machine's six-furlong race looks very strong.

"(But) he's in really good form, and was unlucky at Newcastle five weeks ago. He just got a bit far back and came with a wet sail late on, so we hope he can run a blinder.

"Electric Love came out of her race (at Lingfield) great last time. She missed the kick by three (lengths), and was only just beaten – so we hope she can run a massive race for us.

"Sugauli was only beaten just over a length at Doncaster, and I think the stiff mile at Newcastle should suit him well.

"He seems in great nick – they all do, I hope."

Fellowes' Billhilly is prominent in the market as he bids for a four-timer, and Palmer's pair also have obvious chances, but Clover knows nonetheless his contribution will be pivotal in the final straight.

"Please God, with three of the last four runners, I don't let the team down!" he said.

"It wasn't straightforward working out the horses (to run) when you also have (Palmer's) Echo Beach to put in there as well.

"So my neck's really on the chopping block!"

Whether it is a night of glory or frustration, though, Clover has seen enough in the first staging of the competition to be convinced of its success.

"It's been great fun, absolutely – especially with us all friends," he said, of Goat's collective challenge for honours.

"It's been great going racing all together, and lots of banter about whose horses run well and whose might not have run quite so well.

"I hope the Racing League generally has been a good thing to promote our sport – another way that might get a few people interested.

"It's really a great thing for us getting more people into the sport."