Two listed races today

Six meetings today, two of them over jumps, but the majority of races again at a very low level, but amongst all the dross there are two races that stand out - listed events at Newbury this afternoon and this evening in Ireland.

The Newbury race is at 16.25 CET and is for 3yo fillies over ten furlongs. Black type races for fillies usually attract large fields, and 12 line up here, although it must be said that there are no real stars entered. Most of the runners are moving up in class after winning a maiden, the exception being Alonsoa (Henry Candy/ Dane O´Neill), who won last year at this level and has 3 lbs more to carry as a result; she has not run since running badly at Doncaster in September, so we would rather leave her out. Encore l´Amour (David Sincock/ Ryan Moore) is top-rated after running a good race at Goodwood, where she was runner-up to Lady of Dubai, subsequently third in the Oaks, with two of these well back. That is the best form on offer but she seems certain to start favourite - especially with this jockey on board- and looks a bit exposed, so we shall take a chance on very lighly-raced Speedy Boarding (James Fanshawe/ Freddie Tylicki), who won a maiden at Goodwood over a mile in promising style and can possibly also score at this much better level.

The Irish race is over a mile at 20.30 at Leopardstown, and as is usual in Ireland, with a small field. However it is a much classier affair than at Newbury as 3 of the 5 runners are definitely of group-race ability. My Titania (John Oxx/ Declan McDonough), the only filly in the field, is the likely favourite; the four-year-old from the first crop of Sea The Stars (and running in the same colours) has only ever run 5 times but has shown a lot of talent, her best performance coming on her seasonal reappearance last year when fourth in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. She has only run once since, but that should be on problem. The good to firm going should be ideal, but so it should for War Envoy (Aidan O´Brien/ Seamie Heffernan), who has run unplaced in both French classics this year and is taking a huge drop in class. He has only won once - on his debut- but has been set some pretty tough tasks. In-form Ger Lyons runs two here, with Andrea Atzeni flying over from England to partner Brendan Brackan, who has been group-placed many times; however he has to give 8 lbs to My Titania, which will not be easy. Captain Joy (Tracy Collins/ Pat Smullen) has been in good form, but was well beaten here last year, and he and Lyons´ other runner Tennnessee Wildcat (Colin Keane) can only spring a surprise if the 3 mentioned earlier all run below form.