Leicester, Towcester and Punchestown (?) this evening

The only flat racing this evening comes from Leicester, where the 6 furlongs handicap for 3yos at 19.40 CET should lie between last-time-out winners Devil You Know (David Elsworth/ Ryan Moore) and Rapid Water (Andrew Balding/ Liam Keniry), -out of the Group One sprinter Lochsong. Later, Steel Free (Michael Bell/ Jamie Spencer) should win the 3yo maiden at 21.10 after his excellent debut at Newbury. There is jumps racing this evening at Towcester and Punchestown, which has by far the better card, but the Irish meeting is under threat from the weather and must pass an inspection. Should racing go ahead, the chasing debut of ex-Champion Hurdler Sizing Europe at 19.20 is one of the main features of interest.

No such stars on view at Towcester, where the best race could be the maiden hurdle at 20.00. Bulwark (Ian Williams/ Michael Murphy) and Kahsabelle (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) should have this race between them, but both have questions to answer: Kahsabelle unseated her rider last time, when still going well, while Bulwark, easily the best horse in the field on ability, has frequently disappointed, both on the flat and over hurdles.