Lingfield and Southwell

in the meantime we have to be content with two more very low-profile all-weather meetings at Lingfield and Southwell. Mark Johnston continues to bang in the winners and can land a double at the former track with Ostentation in the 3yo handicap over a mile at 15.35 CET and Capricornus in the 7 furlongs handicap for the same age group an hour later, both ridden by Neil Callan.

Ostentation has not finished in the first 4 in his 4 starts so far, but still may be good enough to see off today´s opposition, while Capricornus faces several in-form opponents but looks capable of further improvement. Callan also has a chance of winning the 10 furlongs claimer at 15.05 on Kevin McAuliffe´s Lily Lily; the likely favourite here is Glen Lass (Jeff Pearce/ Saleem Golam), who has won her last 3 races, but she is moving up in distance and has never run at this track before.

At Southwell, we hope to see German-bred Tyrana (Ian Williams/ Stephen Donohoe) defy top-weight in the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 14.20; he missed out yesterday´s engagement, but this race looks easier. The obvious danger is consistent course specialist Jackie Kiely (Roy Brotherton/ Phillip Makin). Williams and Donohoe can complete a double with top-weight Russian Invader in the 2 mile handicap half an hour later. This one has shown vastly improved form since moving up in trip, and having won twice over 1 3/4 miles should also handle this extra distance without problem.

Donohoe also partners what could be the most interesting runner of the day, Sir Mark Prescott´s Albertus Pictor, who makes his debut in the 3yo maiden at 16.20. He is out of Kirsten Rausing´s multiple German Group One winner Albanova and from a family with numerous top-class performers. Whether he is able to win first time out remains be seen, but the opposition does not look strong.