Betting Briefing: Stayers & Future Champions at Newmarket

Weekly Betfair Briefing / Timeform / 01 October 2011 / Leave a Comment

Newmarket stages the Cesarewitch on Saturday

"Saturday brings one of the big end-of-season handicaps at Newmarket, this one for stayers, the Cesarewitch. Won last year by Aaim to Prosper, who will carry top-weight if taking part again, this particularly competitive event over two and a quarter miles is a real test of stamina."

Timeform look over the next week's racing, which gets underway with Longchamp's Arc day on Sunday and ends with a high-class card at Newmarket on Saturday....

Sunday October 2
Longchamp's Arc meeting is one of the highlights on the racing calendar, and this year's renewal is no different. Every race there on Sunday carries Group 1 status and it has a stunning line-up of horses including Goldikova, Sarafina, So You Think, Workforce and many more quality performers. Arc weekend is a real treat for racing fans with race after race to get excited about, and after months of looking forward to it, it is finally here.

There's also racing on Sunday on the National Hunt scene at Huntingdon, Kelso and Uttoxeter, whilst Tipperary stages a good-quality mixed-code card in Ireland, where Captain Cee Bee and Luska Lad feature in a Grade 2 hurdle and the David Marnane-trained Dandy Boy makes his seasonal reappearance in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes.

Monday October 3
Monday doesn't quite scale the heights of the previous day but you can't have a Group 1 card every day of the week, so Pontefract, Warwick and Windsor it is. Arguably the most interesting race of the day is Pontefract's conditions event over two miles and a furlong. Likely participants include Ajaan, winner of the race last year, the Roger Varian-trained Pekan Star, who is stepping markedly up in trip, and Fire Fighter, who will be seeking a hat-trick of wins.

Tuesday October 4
Flat action on Tuesday at Catterick and Leicester, and on all-weather at Southwell. Catterick host what could develop into a competitive nursery over seven furlongs, whilst Leicester stage an interesting conditions event for two year-olds and a pair of maidens that could consist of large fields, as is the trend at this time of year. We also have National Hunt action over in Ireland, once again courtesy of Tipperary.

Wednesday October 5
The busiest day of the week so far on Wednesday, with racing on the flat at Nottingham and in Ireland at Navan, National Hunt racing at Ludlow and Towcester, before we head to Kempton for an evening of floodlit racing. Memorabilia, a fair performer on the flat and second on his hurdling debut on Friday, is entered again at Ludlow on Wednesday and could build on that hurdling experience. Nottingham's card features three maidens out of six races, with a number of powerful stables holding entries.

Thursday October 6
Just the two flat meetings on Thursday, at Ayr in the afternoon and Wolverhampton in the evening. Jumps racing is more the order of the day, with action at Exeter, Worcester and over in Ireland at Tramore. Interestingly, trainer Charlie Longsdon is 2-2 with his National Hunt flat runners at Worcester in the 2011-12 season, and holds three entries in their final event on Thursday.

Friday October 7
Friday takes us to York, Carlisle and Newton Abbot in the afternoon, with the former staging the only flat card. York's feature event on a seven race card is a class 2 handicap over a mile, whilst Newton Abbot host a valuable handicap hurdle over two miles and six furlongs. We again sample the delights of Wolverhampton in the evening, for a seven race card at the same time as Dundalk host a card headed by a very valuable listed event over seven furlongs.

Saturday October 8
Saturday brings one of the big end-of-season handicaps at Newmarket, this one for stayers, the Cesarewitch. Won last year by Aaim to Prosper, who will carry top-weight if taking part again, this particularly competitive event over two and a quarter miles is a real test of stamina. Other entries of note include the Roger Charlton-trained Keys, an impressive winner on two occasions this season, Sir Mark Prescott's Tuscan Gold, antepost favourite at [10.0], and Nicky Henderson's Veiled, who took the Ascot Stakes on her most recent outing.

It's also 'Future Champions' day on Newmarket's revamped Cesarewitch card, and the two big juvenile races to take note of are the Group 1 Middle Park and the Dewhurst, over six and seven furlongs respectively. A two year-old can dramatically enhance his claims to next year's classics in either of these races, so horses like Ektihaam, Camelot and Daddy Long Legs will be looking for success here.

Elsewhere on Saturday, York stages a solid looking card featuring the listed Rockingham Stakes over six furlongs, whilst Chepstow and Hexham hold National Hunt cards, as does Fairyhouse in Ireland. We visit Wolverhampton for the third evening in a row for another seven race card.

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Timeform look ahead to the coming week, featuring mid-week action from Ayr, Salisbury and Warwick, before we head to Newmarket and Ascot on Saturday for valuable sales races and pattern race action......

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, featuring good mid-week cards at Goodwood and Newmarket, before a fascinating order of play on Saturday including a quality card at HQ......

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which features interesting mid-week cards from Sandown and Yarmouth, and culminates in Ayr's Gold Cup meeting......

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Betting Briefing: Ascot stages exciting Shergar Cup meeting

Timeform Features / Timeform / 30 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Ascot is host for one of the most enjoyable meetings in racing this Saturday.

"The highlight of the week on Saturday with the Shergar Cup set to be staged at Ascot where Great Britain, Ireland, Europe and the Rest of the World will be competing to land the winning prizes..."

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, with the highlight taking place next Saturday as Ascot stages the Shergar Cup meeting...

Sunday July 31
The Queensferry Stakes at Chester and the Chalice Stakes at Newbury take the fore on Sunday afternoon in Britain with a National Hunt meeting also coming from Market Rasen. Over in Ireland the Galway Festival draws to a close with an eight-race mixed-card and there is a Flat meeting at Cork.

Monday August 1
Ripon is the venue for afternoon Flat racing whilst Windsor and Carlisle both stage evening meetings. Newton Abbot is the host on Monday afternoon for the only Jumps fixture of the day in this country whilst over in Ireland there is National Hunt racing at Cork and action on the level at Naas.

Tuesday August 2
Bath and Catterick stage afternoon Flat racing while Ffos Las and Southwell are on during the evening. There is action over Jumps in Ireland with a single meeting taking place at Roscommon.

Wednesday August 3
There are six Flat meetings in total on Wednesday with afternoon action at Brighton, Newcastle and Pontefract. Evening meetings at Kempton and Yarmouth complete the schedule in this country while Sligo hosts a Flat meeting in Ireland.

Thursday August 4
A busy Thursday program and action on the level is set to continue this side of the Irish Sea with Brighton, Haydock and Yarmouth the three venues for afternoon racing followed by further Flat racing coming from Chepstow, Folkestone and Sandown during the evening. Over in Ireland there are two meetings as Leopardstown stages the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes over a flat mile and a half and Sligo hosts a National Hunt Card.

Friday August 5
Flat racing on Friday comes from Brighton and Lingfield during the afternoon whilst Haydock and Newmarket stage evening meetings. Worcester hosts the the only Jumps card of the afternoon with Tipperary staging two Listed Flat contests in Ireland during the evening, including the Abergwaun Stakes.

Saturday August 6
The highlight of the week on Saturday, with the Shergar Cup set to be staged at Ascot where Great Britain, Ireland, Europe and the Rest of the World will be competing to land the winning prizes. Richard Hughes will be captaining the Irish team once again as they seek to land yet another victory in the competition but the race for the Silver Saddle may prove the most fascinating contest on an action-packed afternoon.

Flat racing continues elsewhere at Haydock, Newmarket and Redcar during the afternoon with the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes at HQ and the Group 3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock. Ayr and Lingfield complete the week's racing with evening meetings on the level and in addition to this Kilbeggan also hosts a National Hunt meeting over in Ireland.

The traditional cavalry charge over Goodwood's sharp six furlongs looks as tough to fathom as ever, but Simon Rowlands reckons there are two you must have on your side......

Wondermare Goldikova returns to the racecourse this Sunday for the first time since her defeat to Canford Cliffs at Royal Ascot and is set to face seven rivals when she attempts to land the Group 1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville for a fourth time......

Timeform give an overview of the weekend's best racing with the notable highlight being the Group 1 Nassau Stakes on the final day of Glorious Goodwood......

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Betting Briefing: Goodwood and Galway in Glorious double header

Timeform Features / Timeform / 23 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Frankel bids to maintain his unbeaten run taking on the older horses in this week's Sussex Stakes.

"Arguably the race of the season takes place at Goodwood on Wednesday as Frankel takes on Canford Cliffs in the Sussex Stakes to confirm status as Europe's greatest miler..."

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which features not one but two Festival meetings, namely Galway and Glorious Goodwood...

Sunday July 24
There are a trio of flat meetings set to take place on Sunday, with racing coming from Ascot, Carlisle and Pontefract. The highlight of the afternoon is the Pomfret Stakes, a listed contest taking place at Pontefract over a mile in which Roger Charlton's Cityscape is 8 lb clear of his rivals.

Monday July 25
Ayr and Yarmouth are the venues for the flat racing in the afternoon and Windsor hosts an evening meeting. There is also national hunt racing available during the evening at Uttoxeter whilst the Galway Festival kicks off in Ireland with a seven race mixed-card.

Tuesday July 26
Glorious Goodwood gets underway, with the opening day highlight being the Lennox Stakes, where Richard Fahey's Wootton Bassett could attempt to get back on track. Goodwood is accompanied in the afternoon by flat racing from Beverley. The evening meetings switch focus to national hunt, with cards at both Perth and Worcester. The Galway Festival continues with another seven-race mixed-card in Ireland.

Wednesday July 27
The race we've all been waiting for, with Frankel taking on Canford Cliffs for the first time in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. There is also a minor flat card from Redcar and a national hunt card from Perth during an exciting afternoon. There is further action on the level Wednesday evening with racing from Leicester and Sandown. The highlight of an eight race mixed-card in Ireland is the Galway Plate which see's Edward O' Grady's The Real Article attempt to win this handicap seemingly 18lb 'well in'.

Thursday July 28
Racing continues at Goodwood on Thursday, with the historic Goodwood Cup, in which Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Opinion Poll could attempt to go one better, being the main highlight. There is also flat racing from Nottingham in the afternoon and evening meetings at Epsom and Ffos Las. The one national hunt meeting takes place at Stratford for a six race afternoon card. The Galway Hurdle is the pick of the Irish racing on another eight race mixed-card.

Friday July 29
The Richmond Stakes and the ultra-competitive totesport Mile Handicap are the pick of the afternoon's racing from Goodwood whilst there is also a further flat card from Thirsk. Evening flat racing consists of Bath, Musselburgh and Newmarket. There is once again only one national hunt card with afternoon action coming from Bangor. On the other side of the Irish Sea, racing continues at the Galway Festival.

Saturday July 30
Just flat racing to look forward to on Saturday as Glorious Goodwood draws to a close. The highlight there is unquestionably the Nassau Stakes as Midday attempts to become the first horse to land the hat-trick in this race. Alternative afternoon racing comes from Doncaster, Thirsk and Newmarket while Hamilton and Lingfield play host to evening meetings. Over in Ireland it is also the penultimate day of the Galway Festival which features a seven race mixed-card.

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The week-long Galway Festival, which kicks off on Monday, is the summer highlight of the Irish racing calendar, featuring a marathon mix of Flat and jumps action. Timeform look over the highlights......

Our blogger Simion Rowlands gives you his pick6 selections for the TVG Coaching Club American Oaks meeting at Saratoga on Saturday night......

Timeform run the rule over the Betfair-sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes......

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Betting Briefing: Rewilding to defeat another Ballydoyle superstar?

Weekly Betfair Briefing / Timeform / 17 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Rewilding will bid to win his third Group 1 of the year in the King George at Ascot on Saturday.

"One of the biggest races of the year, the Betfair King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes takes place at Ascot on Saturday and sees some of the best middle-distance performers in the world take each other on..."

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which includes the Group 1 Betfair King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday...

Sunday July 17

There is Group 1 action in Ireland, as the Curragh stages the Irish Oaks. Nine fillies go to post including Dancing Rain who bids to repeat her Epsom victory, but the market believes Wonder of Wonders and Blue Bunting will finish ahead of her this time.

Also in Ireland Tipperary have a NH card in the afternoon, as do Newton Abbot and Stratford, while Redcar hosts the only Flat card in Britain.

Monday July 18

Ayr and Yarmouth are the venues for the afternoon's Flat action, while Beverley and Windsor are on in the evening. In Ireland, Ballinrobe stage a mixed seven-race card.

Tuesday July 19

There are three Flat meetings and one NH card in Britain. Musselburgh and Yarmouth are on the level in the afternoon, while there is action at Southwell in the evening, as well as at Bangor over jumps. For the second evening in a row, Ballinrobe (NH) is the sole Irish meeting.

Wednesday July 20

Catterick and Lingfield on the Flat and Worcester over jumps are the venues for the afternoon racing on Wednesday. In the evening there is also Flat action at Leicester, Sandown and Naas in Ireland where there is a six-furlong fillies' listed race, won last year by Charles O'Brien's Bewitched.

Thursday July 21

A busy Thursday with eight meetings either side of the Irish Sea. In Britain, Bath and Sandown (including a listed race for two-year-olds) are the Flat meetings in the afternoon, along with a NH card from Uttoxeter. Three meetings in the evening sees the Yorkshire Racing Festival continue at Doncaster, while there are also cards at Epsom and Folkestone.

There are also two evening meetings in Ireland, a seven race Flat card at Leopardstown which stages two Group 3s and a jumps fixture at Limerick.

Friday July 22

Ascot hosts day one of the Betfair Weekend, the highlight being the listed Woodcote Stud Valiant Stakes over a mile for fillies and mares. Also on the Flat there are meetings at Thirsk and in the evening at Newmarket, Chepstow and York where there is a listed race for fillies over a mile and a quarter. Southwell represents the sole jumps fixture in the afternoon.

In Ireland, there are meetings at Down Royal and Wexford.

Saturday July 23

One of the biggest races of the year, the Betfair King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes takes place at Ascot on Saturday. A Group 1 over a mile and a half, it sees some of the best middle-distance performers in the world take each other on. This year we are likely to see Aidan O'Brien's Coronation Cup winner St Nicholas Abbey take on dual Group 1 winner Rewilding, with the possibility of last year's Arc hero Workforce taking his place as well. It is supported by the Group 3 Princess Maragret Stakes for fillies over six furlongs.

Elsewhere, in the afternoon York stages the Group 2 Skybet York Stakes, it's Ladies Day at Newcastle and there is a competitive card at Newmarket. The two evening meetings are both on the level at Lingfield and Salisbury.

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It's a relatively quiet week as we gear up to the Betfair King George and the Goodwood and Galway Festival meetings later in the month, but Market Rasen stages a quality card on Saturday......

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, the highlight of which is Newmarket's July Meeting......

It's Irish Derby day at the Curragh on Sunday, and fast-forward to Saturday and you can see another Derby winner in the shape of Workforce, who goes for the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown......

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Betting Briefing: Rewilding to defeat another Ballydoyle superstar?

Weekly Betfair Briefing / Timeform / 16 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Rewilding will bid to win his third Group 1 of the year in the King George at Ascot on Saturday.

"One of the biggest races of the year, the Betfair King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes takes place at Ascot on Saturday and sees some of the best middle-distance performers in the world take each other on..."

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which includes the Group 1 Betfair King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday...

Sunday July 17

There is Group 1 action in Ireland, as the Curragh stages the Irish Oaks. Nine fillies go to post including Dancing Rain who bids to repeat her Epsom victory, but the market believes Wonder of Wonders and Blue Bunting will finish ahead of her this time.

Also in Ireland Tipperary have a NH card in the afternoon, as do Newton Abbot and Stratford, while Redcar hosts the only Flat card in Britain.

Monday July 18

Ayr and Yarmouth are the venues for the afternoon's Flat action, while Beverley and Windsor are on in the evening. In Ireland, Ballinrobe stage a mixed seven-race card.

Tuesday July 19

There are three Flat meetings and one NH card in Britain. Musselburgh and Yarmouth are on the level in the afternoon, while there is action at Southwell in the evening, as well as at Bangor over jumps. For the second evening in a row, Ballinrobe (NH) is the sole Irish meeting.

Wednesday July 20

Catterick and Lingfield on the Flat and Worcester over jumps are the venues for the afternoon racing on Wednesday. In the evening there is also Flat action at Leicester, Sandown and Naas in Ireland where there is a six-furlong fillies' listed race, won last year by Charles O'Brien's Bewitched.

Thursday July 21

A busy Thursday with eight meetings either side of the Irish Sea. In Britain, Bath and Sandown (including a listed race for two-year-olds) are the Flat meetings in the afternoon, along with a NH card from Uttoxeter. Three meetings in the evening sees the Yorkshire Racing Festival continue at Doncaster, while there are also cards at Epsom and Folkestone.

There are also two evening meetings in Ireland, a seven race Flat card at Leopardstown which stages two Group 3s and a jumps fixture at Limerick.

Friday July 22

Ascot hosts day one of the Betfair Weekend, the highlight being the listed Woodcote Stud Valiant Stakes over a mile for fillies and mares. Also on the Flat there are meetings at Thirsk and in the evening at Newmarket, Chepstow and York where there is a listed race for fillies over a mile and a quarter. Southwell represents the sole jumps fixture in the afternoon.

In Ireland, there are meetings at Down Royal and Wexford.

Saturday July 23

One of the biggest races of the year, the Betfair King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes takes place at Ascot on Saturday. A Group 1 over a mile and a half, it sees some of the best middle-distance performers in the world take each other on. This year we are likely to see Aidan O'Brien's Coronation Cup winner St Nicholas Abbey take on dual Group 1 winner Rewilding, with the possibility of last year's Arc hero Workforce taking his place as well. It is supported by the Group 3 Princess Maragret Stakes for fillies over six furlongs.

Elsewhere, in the afternoon York stages the Group 2 Skybet York Stakes, it's Ladies Day at Newcastle and there is a competitive card at Newmarket. The two evening meetings are both on the level at Lingfield and Salisbury.

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It's a relatively quiet week as we gear up to the Betfair King George and the Goodwood and Galway Festival meetings later in the month, but Market Rasen stages a quality card on Saturday......

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, the highlight of which is Newmarket's July Meeting......

It's Irish Derby day at the Curragh on Sunday, and fast-forward to Saturday and you can see another Derby winner in the shape of Workforce, who goes for the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown......

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Betting Briefing: Summer comes to Market Rasen

Weekly Betfair Briefing / Timeform / 09 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Saturday is a big day for the Summer Jumpers at Market Rasen

"Saturday is also one of the bigger days of the summer jumping seasons as Market Rasen plays host to the Summer Plate and the Summer Hurdle."

It's a relatively quiet week as we gear up to the Betfair King George and the Goodwood and Galway Festival meetings later in the month, but Market Rasen stages a quality card on Saturday...

Sunday July 10

Sunday is a NH-only day in Britain with fixtures scheduled for Perth, Southwell and Stratford. There are a further two meetings set to take place in Ireland - on the Flat at Fairyhouse and over jumps at Sligo.

Monday July 11

Ayr and Ffos Las are the venues for Monday's afternoon Flat racing, while it's Windsor and Wolverhampton on that front in the evening. In Ireland there is a Flat card in the evening at Killarney.

Tuesday July 12

Tuesday afternoon's British action takes place at Beverley and Brighton, to go with evening cards at Southwell and Yarmouth. There are two cards scheduled to take place in Ireland - one in the afternoon at Dundalk, the other in the evening at Killarney.

Wednesday July 13

Catterick and Lingfield on the Flat and Uttoxeter over jumps are the venues for afternoon racing in Britain on Wednesday. There is also evening action at Sandown and Worcester. In Ireland, they go at Downpatrick in the afternoon and Killarney in the evening.

Thursday July 14

Thursday's British Flat racing will take place at Hamilton and Leicester in the afternoon and at Bath, Doncaster and Epsom in the evening. There is also jumping slated for Cartmel, while in Ireland it's Killarney in the afternoon and Leopardstown in the evening.

Friday July 15

It's an all-Flat day in Britain on Friday with cards at Haydock, Newbury and Nottingham in the afternoon and at Hamilton, Newmarket and Pontefract in the evening. In Ireland there is an evening meeting at Kilbeggan.

Saturday July 16

Newbury plays host to a good Flat card on Saturday afternoon, the arguable highlight of which is the valuable Super Sprint for two-year-olds over five furlongs. There is also Group 3 action on the card in the shape of the six-furlong Hackwood Stakes. There is also racing at Newmarket, where the listed Aphrodite Stakes for fillies and mares over a mile and a half is the best race, Haydock, Ripon and Lingfield. In Ireland, there is Group racing on the card at the Curragh,

Saturday is also one of the bigger days of the summer jumping seasons as Market Rasen plays host to the Summer Plate and the Summer Hurdle.

Download a Free Race Card every day in July at timeform.com. Click HERE to register or see the menu.

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, the highlight of which is Newmarket's July Meeting......

It's Irish Derby day at the Curragh on Sunday, and fast-forward to Saturday and you can see another Derby winner in the shape of Workforce, who goes for the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown......

Timeform look ahead to next week's best racing, which includes the valuable and historic Northumberland Plate handicap at Newcastle......

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Betting Briefing: So You Think to take on Workforce in Eclipse

Weekly Betfair Briefing / Timeform / 25 June 2011 / Leave a Comment

Workforce is an intended runner in the Eclipse on Saturday

"Last year's Derby and Arc winner Workforce is reportedly an intended runner as he bids to add a 10-furlong Group 1 to his record and he is set to clash with the top-class ex-Australian horse So You Think, who lost little caste in defeat in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot."

It's Irish Derby day at the Curragh on Sunday, and fast-forward to Saturday and you can see another Derby winner in the shape of Workforce, who goes for the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown...

Sunday June 26

There is Flat racing in Britain due to take place at Salisbury and Windsor on Sunday, while there is also an interesting NH card slated for Uttoxeter where the best race is the three-and-a-half-mile Summer National.

Over in Ireland, the Curragh is the venue for the third day of the Irish Derby festival, and the highlight is the Irish Derby itself. The market is headed by Carlton House, who will be attempting to reverse Epsom form with Treasure Beach, while the likes of Memphis Tennessee, Native Khan and Seville also represent the English Derby form. The best race on the supporting card at the Curragh is the Group 2 Railway Stakes over six furlongs for two-year-olds. Aidan O'Brien has won the race in the past with some of his best juveniles and he has a strong entry this year which includes the Coventry winner Power.

Monday June 27

Pontefract and Wolverhampton are the venues for afternoon racing on the Flat on Monday, while Musselburgh and Windsor take over for the evening action.

Tuesday June 28

There are three Flat meetings scheduled to take place in Britain on Tuesday: at Brighton and Hamilton in the afternoon and at Southwell in the evening. Stratford plays host to a summer jumping card in the evening, when there is also Flat racing at Sligo in Ireland.

Wednesday June 29

Jumping predominates on Wednesday afternoon with meetings set to take place at Perth and Worcester. On the Flat front, they race at Catterick in the afternoon and Chepstow and Kempton in the evening. The day's best race takes place in Ireland where the Group 3 Brownstown Stakes over seven furlongs for fillies and mares is the highlight of a seven-race card at Fairyhouse.

Thursday June 30

Haydock and Yarmouth on the Flat and Perth over jumps are the venues for racing in the afternoon on Thursday, while it's Epsom and Newbury on the level in the evening. Over in Ireland there will be a seven-race evening card at Leopardstown that includes the listed Golden Fleece Stakes for two-year-olds over seven furlongs.

Friday July 1

There are two listed races on the card at Sandown on the first day of July, when there is also afternoon action at Doncaster and Warwick to go with evening racing at Beverley and Haydock.

Saturday July 2

Saturday promises to provide one of the potential highlights of the Flat season in the shape of the mile-and-a-quarter Group 1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. Last year's Derby and Arc winner Workforce is reportedly an intended runner as he bids to add a 10-furlong Group 1 to his record and he is set to clash with the top-class ex-Australian horse So You Think, who lost little caste in defeat in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. There is no shortage of quality on the rest of the card at Sandown, that includes the Group 3 Sprint Stakes over five-furlongs, a couple of listed races and a trio of highly competitive handicaps.

There is also quality racing at Haydock on Saturday where the feature event is the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks, though the big betting handicap of the day is the Old Newton Cup. Both races take place over a trip just short of a mile and a half. Beverley and Leicester also play host to racing on Saturday afternoon, as do Carlisle and Nottingham in the evening.

Timeform look ahead to next week's best racing, which includes the valuable and historic Northumberland Plate handicap at Newcastle......

Next week sees the highlight of the summer in racing circles, with Royal Ascot providing five jam-packed days of quality action. Timeform guide you through.......

It's largely a quiet week in terms of top-class racing, something of a lull between the Derby meeting and Royal Ascot, but there will be plenty of competitive action to get stuck into at a lower level and there's also the Belmont in America to look forward to......

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Horseracing Betting Briefing: From Longchamp to Pimlico

Weekly Betfair Briefing / Timeform / 14 May 2011 / Leave a Comment

Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom heads to the Preakness, the second leg of the American Triple Crown

"There is also Group 1 action at the Curragh where the Irish 2000 Guineas is set to take place."

Timeform look at what's in store over the next week, starting with the French Guineas meeting at Longchamp and ending with the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on Saturday night....

Sunday May 15

Ripon is the venue for Saturday's only Flat meeting in Britain, while it's Market Rasen and Stratford over jumps. The day's Irish action takes place at Killarney and Navan.
There is Group 1 action on the continent where Longchamp hosts the French Guineas meeting. There is British interest in both the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and Poule d'Essai des Poulains, the most interesting raider from these shores arguably being Wootton Basset, who bids to maintain his unbeaten record in the colts' classic.

Monday May 16

Bath and Wolverhampton in the afternoon and Leicester and Windsor in the evening are the venues for Monday's Flat racing in Britain. There is only one NH meeting, at Newton Abbott, while in Ireland it's day two of the Killarney Festival.

Tuesday May 17

On the Flat front, it's Brighton and Nottingham in the afternoon to go with an all-weather fixture at Kempton in the evening. There is jumping at Southwell and Towcester, the latter an evening fixture, while the Killarney Festival continues in Ireland.

Wednesday May 18

Wednesday's best Flat action takes place at Goodwood where there are a couple of listed events on the card. The day's two other Flat meetings take place at Kempton and Lingfield, while there are evening jumps fixtures at Sedgefield and Worcester. In Ireland, they also go over jumps at Punchestown.

Thursday May 19

Haydock and Southwell play host to Flat racing in the afternoon, as do Salisbury and Sandown in the evening. Wetherby is the venue for the day's sole NH fixture in Britain, while there is jumping at Tipperary in Ireland.

Friday May 20

Friday's afternoon Flat racing takes place at Bath, Haydock and Yarmouth, while it's Catterick and Musselburgh on that front in the evening. There's only one jumps fixture set to take place: at Towcester in the evening.

Saturday May 21

There's plenty of good Flat action on both sides of the Irish Sea on Saturday. The best of the fixtures set to take place in Britain is the one at Haydock where the Group 2 Temple Stakes over five furlongs is the highlight, though the Silver Bowl Handicap over a mile for three-year-olds is perennially one of the best events of its type as well. The other afternoon Flat fixtures will take place at Chester, Goodwood and York, the last two named both having listed action to look forward to. In the evening, there are Flat cards scheduled for Lingfield and Newbury.

There is also Group 1 action at the Curragh where the Irish 2000 Guineas is set to take place. The field for this year's race will reportedly include Dubawi Gold, who emerged as (a distant) second best to Frankel in the Newmarket equivalent two weeks ago.

Over in the States on Saturday night the Kentucky Derby hero Animal Kingdom will embark on the second leg of his quest for the elusive Triple Crown in the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.

Timeform look ahed to a week which includes York's Dante meeting and the first Group 1 for older horses of the British Flat season......

There's plenty in store in the coming week, kicking off with Sunday's 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and also including the Chester May meeting and the Punchestown Festival.......

Timeform look forward to what is in store in a very busy build-up to Guineas weekend.....

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Horseracing Betting Briefing: All eyes on Frankel in the Guineas

Weekly Betfair Briefing / Timeform / 23 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

Can Frankel make it six out of six in the Guineas?

Saturday is 2000 Guineas day at Newmarket, and all eyes will be on Frankel as he bids to maintain his unbeaten record in the first classic of the season.

Timeform look forward to what is in store in a very busy build-up to Guineas weekend..

Sunday April 24

There are four meetings in Britain on Sunday, the most interesting of which is arguably the Flat card at Sandown, which features the Group 3 Classic Trial. The day's other Flat fixture takes place at Musselburgh, while there is jumping at Plumpton and Towcester.

Cork and Fairyhouse are the venues for jumping in Ireland, and while the card at the former looks by no means shabby, it is at the latter track where most of the interest will be, the highlight being the Grade 1 Powers Gold Cup over two-and-a-half-miles.

Monday April 25

There are no fewer than eight meetings scheduled for Britain on Bank Holiday Monday - three on the Flat (Redcar, Warwick, Yarmouth) and five over jumps (Fakenham, Ffos Las, Huntingdon, Market Rasen and Plumpton).

It's Cork and Fairyhouse again in Ireland where the highlight is the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse.

Tuesday April 26

Lingfield, Yarmouth and Wolverhampton play host to Tuesday's Flat action while Exeter and Sedgefield are the venues for NH racing.

Over at Fairyhouse, the Easter Festival concludes with another top day's jumping.

Wednesday April 27

Ascot's Flat season gets underway on Wednesday with a six-race card that includes two listed events to go with the feature Group 3 Sagaro Stakes over two miles. There is also Flat action at Newcastle and Pontefract to go with jumping at Perth.

The day's sole card in Ireland takes place over jumps at Ballinrobe.

Thursday April 28

Bath and Brighton host Flat cards in Britain on Thursday , while it's Hereford, Perth and Southwell for the day's NH action.

Over in Ireland there are seven races scheduled for the evening at Tipperary.

Friday April 29

Friday's two Flat fixtures take place at Doncaster and Leicester respectively, while there is jumping at Bangor, Fontwell and Perth.

Saturday April 30

Saturday is 2000 Guineas day at Newmarket, and all eyes will be on Frankel as he bids to maintain his unbeaten record in the first classic of the season. The highlights of the supporting card include the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes over a mile and a half and the five-furlong Group 3 Palace House Stakes.

There is also Flat action at Doncaster and Goodwood while jumps enthusiasts have Hexham and Uttoxeter to look forward to.

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which features an extremely busy Easter Saturday that includes a mixed card at Sandown......

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which features Newmarket's Craven meeting and the Scottish National at Ayr......

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which includes the Grand National meeting at Aintree......

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Horseracing Betting Briefing: Lincoln at Doncaster start of Flat season proper

Weekly Betfair Briefing / Timeform / 26 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Although there is racing at Catterick on Wednesday, Doncaster on Saturday is the start of the Flat season proper

"The fixture that for many signals the true start of the Flat season takes place on Saturday as Doncaster plays host to the Lincoln meeting."

Timeform preview next week's racing, which includes the official start of the British Flat season...

Sunday March 27

Wincanton and Hexham are the scenes for NH racing in Britain on Sunday, while over in Ireland they go over jumps at Downpatrick and on the level at Leopardstown. It is the latter of those Irish venues that hosts the day's most interesting fare with both the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas Trials set to take place. Both races have been known to influence the classics themselves, Virginia Waters being the last filly to follow at win at Leopardstown with one at Newmarket, while Refuse To Bend did the same double for colts in 2003.

Monday March 28

Two of the three meetings in Britain on Monday take place over jumps (Plumpton, Towcester) while the other is on the all-weather (Wolverhampton).

Tuesday March 29

Taunton is the sole NH fixture scheduled for Tuesday, when all-weather action dominates with cards at Lingfield and Southwell.

Wednesday March 30

The new British Flat season kicks off on Wednesday with seven rather low-key races at Catterick. The day's remaining action takes place over jumps at Hereford and on the all-weather at Lingfield in the afternoon and Wolverhampton in the evening.

Thursday March 31

The second turf meeting of the Flat season takes place at Leicester on Tuesday, where the highlight is often the Kibworth Handicap, a mile-and-a-half event for three-year-olds that often works out well. The day's sole jumps card in Britain takes place at Ludlow, while in the evening there are seven races on the all-weather at Wolverhampton. Racing also returns to Ireland with an early-evening jumps meeting at Cork.

Friday April 1

Four meetings in total on Friday; on the Flat turf at Musselburgh, on the all-weather at Wolverhampton and over jumps at Newcastle and Stratford.

Saturday April 2

The fixture that for many signals the true start of the Flat season takes place on Saturday as Doncaster plays host to the Lincoln meeting. The Lincoln itself, run over Doncaster's straight mile, is the main event, but there is a strong supporting card including the listed Cammidge Trophy over six furlongs, while there is also the prospect of seeing some speedy two-year-olds out in the Brocklesby.

Kempton also stages good-quality Flat racing on Saturday with two listed races - namely the ten-furlong Magnolia Stakes and the Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes over a mile - along with a pair of historic handicaps in the shape of the Rosebery and the Queen's Prize.

The day's two remaining fixtures both take place over jumps, at Chepstow and Uttoxeter respectively.

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, with the Dubai World Cup meeting and the Winter Derby at Lingfield the big highlights......

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which very much has the feel of the calm before the storm, though on Saturday there is at least the Imperial Cup to look forward to......

The calm before the Cheltenham storm somewhat, but this week's action is set to feature some good horses and lots of opportunities to bolster you betting kitty for the Festival......

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Horseracing Betting Briefing: Imperial Cup the pre-Cheltenham highlight

Weekly Betfair Briefing / Timeform / 05 March 2011 / Leave a Comment

Do the Pipe's have something up their sleeve for the Imperial Cup?

"The Imperial Cup is a valuable handicap hurdle in its own right, but its attractiveness as a prize is enhanced by the bonus available to a horse than can win it and then follow up in any race at the Festival"

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which very much has the feel of the calm before the storm, though on Saturday there is at least the Imperial Cup to look forward to...

Sunday March 6

It's National Hunt only on Sunday, with meetings at Huntingdon, Sedgefield and Naas.

Monday March 7

Ffos Las and Newton Abbot both host jumps cards on Monday, while it's Lingfield on the all-weather.

Tuesday March 8

Three meetings again in Britain on Tuesday, over jumps at Exeter and Newcastle and on the fibresand at Southwell.

Wednesday March 9

Catterick and Fontwell are the venues for Wednesday's jumping in Britain, while there is also an NH card in Ireland at Naas. There are a further two all-weather meetings, at Lingfield in the afternoon and Kempton in the evening.

Thursday March 10

Carlisle, Folkestone and Wincanton all host NH fixtures in Britain, as does Clonmel in Ireland. The day's solitary all-weather meetings takes place at Kempton.

Friday March 11

There are four National Hunt meetings in Britain on Friday, at Ayr, Leicester, Sandown and Wincanton, to go with the customary evening fixture on the all-weather at Wolverhampton.

Saturday March 12

The highlight of the final Saturday before the Cheltenham Festival is the Imperial Cup meeting at Sandown. The Imperial Cup is a valuable handicap hurdle in its own right, but its attractiveness as a prize is enhanced by the bonus available to a horse than can win it and then follow up in any race at the Festival. The best race on the supporting card at Sandown is the always-competitive EBF Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final.

The day's other jumps meetings take place at Ayr and Chepstow, while there is all-weather action at Wolverhampton.

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which very much has the feel of the calm before the storm, though on Saturday there is at least the Imperial Cup to look forward to......

The calm before the Cheltenham storm somewhat, but this week's action is set to feature some good horses and lots of opportunities to bolster you betting kitty for the Festival......

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which starts with a strong card at Naas on Sunday and culminates with Racing Post Chase day at Kempton......

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Horseracing Betting Briefing: Calm before the Cheltenham storm

Timeform Features / Adam Brookes / 26 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

It's 'Super Thursday' in Dubai this week

"Meanwhile, over in Dubai, it is Super Thursday at Meydan."

The calm before the Cheltenham storm somewhat, but this week's action is set to feature some good horses and lots of opportunities to bolster you betting kitty for the Festival...

Sunday February 27

A very decent day's racing in prospect with Fontwell hosting the National Spirit Hurdle where Celestial Halo tries to land his first win of the season after almost turning over Mille Chief last Saturday. Towcester bolsters the National Hunt action in England, whilst some decent horses are on show at Leopardstown including Sublimity, winner of the Champion Hurdle in 2007.

Monday February 28

Catterick and Plumpton provide the back-drop for the jumping action whilst Lincoln entry Dubai Crest looks to continue his winning run on the Wolverhampton Polytrack.

Tuesday March 1

Ffos Las enjoys another decent card which could feature the chasing debut of Ruthenoise, who was second to stablemate Binocular in the Contenders Hurdle on her penultimate start. Leicester also provides jumping whilst Lingfield stages races on the all-weather.

Wednesday March 2

A busy day in prospect with four handicap hurdles at Bangor-On-Dee, whilst Folkestone joins in for more jumping . Wolverhampton and Kempton deal with those looking for less obstacles and a bit more speed.

Downpatrick provides the hurdles, chase and bumper action in Ireland.

Thursday March 3

Flat and Jumps action is split 50/50 on Thursday with Southwell and Wolverhampton for sand-watchers, and Ludlow and Taunton for fans of the latter.

Meanwhile, over in Dubai, it is Super Thursday at Meydan.

Friday March 4

Doncaster and Newbury offer good National Hunt action whilst Lingfield and Wolverhampton provide two all-weather meetings.

Saturday March 5

The meeting at Doncaster features some handicap hurdles, the Grimthorpe Chase, won last year by Nicky Henderson's Wogan, and an opportunity for smart bumper horses to snatch a good pot in the DBS Spring Sales Bumper, whilst Kempton, Newbury, Kelso and Gowran Park all provide more jumping action in the run up to Cheltenham.

The calm before the Cheltenham storm somewhat, but this week's action is set to feature some good horses and lots of opportunities to bolster you betting kitty for the Festival......

Conditional jockey Ian Popham has been flying the Timeform flag this season and he reveals here how he feels his season has gone so far......

The Timeform Radio team took a camera to Barbury Castle this week to get Alan King's views on all his potential runners at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival......

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Horseracing Betting Briefing: Nicholls to deliver in the Racing Post Chase?

Timeform Features / Timeform / 19 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Razor Royale beats Nacarat in last season's Racing Post Chase

"Paul Nicholls has the current Racing Post Chase favourite in Fistral Beach, who unseated at the second when fancied for the race last term."

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which starts with a strong card at Naas on Sunday and culminates with Racing Post Chase day at Kempton...

Sunday February 20

There are three meetings in Britain on Sunday; on the all-weather at Kempton and over jumps at Market Rasen and Sedgefield.

Over in Ireland there are seven races at Naas, three of which are Grade 2s. The most interesting runners there are both trained by Willie Mullins; namely, the top-class chaser Golden Silver and the highly exciting novice hurdler Day of A Lifetime.

Monday February 21

Carlisle and Hereford are the venues for Monday's National Hunt racing, while it's Wolverhampton on the all-weather.

Tuesday February 22

They race over jumps at Taunton and Wetherby on Tuesday, to go with a seven-race all-weather fixture at Southwell.

Wednesday February 23

Wednesday's four British meetings are split evenly between the jumps (Doncaster, Ludlow) and all-weather (Kempton, Lingfield).

The action also resumes in Ireland with seven races at Fairyhouse, including a pair of Grade 2s.

Thursday February 24

It's Ayr and Huntingdon over jumps alongside Kempton and Southwell on the all-weather so far as Britain is concerned on Thursday.

There is also racing in Ireland at Thurles, where the highlight is a Grade 2 novice hurdle.

Friday February 25

Four meetings in Britain on Friday, again split evenly between National Hunt (Sandown, Warwick) and all-weather (Lingfield, Wolverhampton).

Saturday February 26

Valuable handicap chases are the theme for Saturday, with such events taking place at either end of the country. In the South, Kempton hosts a seven-race NH card the highlight of which is the Grade 3 Racing Post Chase, a three-mile handicap chase which is perennially one of the most competitive events of its type run all year. Paul Nicholls has the current favourite in Fistral Beach, who unseated at the second when fancied for the race last term. The meeting at Kempton kicks off with the Grade 2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle which proved the springboard to victory in the Triumph Hurdle for Soldatino in 2010. The other two graded events on the card are the Pendil Novices' Chase over two and a half mile and the two-mile Dovecote Novices' Hurdle.

Up at Newcastle the highlight is the four-mile-one-furlong Eider handicap chase. The race has often proved a good pointer to the Grand National (Comply Or Die won both in 2008), while the 2009 winner Merigo followed up in last season's Scottish National.

Chepstow stages the day's other NH card, while the all-weather action steps up a notch at Lingfield where there is a six-furlong listed race on the card.

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Nicky Henderson's King George runner-up Riverside Theatre went one better in impressive fashion in the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase on Saturday......

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which starts with a strong card at Naas on Sunday and culminates with Racing Post Chase day at Kempton......

The National Hunt season has had more than a stop-start feel to it thus far, with all the abandonments of December rolling into January and then the unfortunate events at Newbury last weekend. Here's hoping that the rearranged meeting at the Berkshire track on Friday and Ascot's big card on Saturday signal the return of the show to the road....

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Horseracing Betting Briefing: Who is the next King to be made at Warwick?

Weekly Betfair Briefing / Timeform / 05 February 2011 / Leave a Comment

Long Run won the Kingmaker at Warwick last year, but who will rule on Saturday?

"The day's other two jumps meetings take place at Ayr and Warwick, the latter hosting the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices' Chase, won last year by Long Run."

Timeform run the rule over the next week's racing, which starts with an all-star card at Leopardstown on Sunday and ends with another at Newbury on Saturday...

Sunday February 6

Fontwell and Musselburgh both stage NH fixtures on Sunday, and the better of the two meetings is the one at the latter track, which hosts both the Scottish Triumph Hurdle and the Scottish County Hurdle.

The day's best action is over in Ireland at Leopardstown, where there are a total of four Grade 1s on the card. The most prestigious of them is the Hennessy Gold Cup over three miles, which looks notably competitive in the absence of Ireland's top staying chaser Pandorama, the likes of Joncol, Cooldine and The Listener all looking to hold chances. The three other Grade 1s are the Spring Juvenile Hurdle, the Deloitte Novice Hurdle and the Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase.

Monday February 7

Lingfield and Ayr are the venues for Monday's jumping, while Wolverhampton will be the scene scene of seven races on the all-weather.

Tuesday February 8

Three meetings for punters to get stuck into on Tuesday - over jumps at Market Rasen and Sedgefield and on the all-weather at Southwell.

Wednesday February 9

Carlisle and Ludlow host the two NH meetings in Britain on Wednesday. There are also all-weather fixtures at Lingfield and Kempton, while jumping also returns to Ireland with eight races at Punchestown.

Thursday February 10

There are four meetings scheduled for Britain on Thursday - two apiece over jumps (Huntingdon, Taunton) and on the all-weather (Kempton, Southwell). There is also a NH card at Thurles in Ireland.

Friday February 11

Bangor, Kempton and Musselburgh all host NH cards on Friday, while the day's all-weather action takes place at Southwell in the afternoon and Wolverhampton in the evening.

Saturday February 12

Saturday's big NH fixture takes place at Newbury where the highlight is one of the season's premier two-mile handicap hurdles, the totesport Trophy. Alan King and Nicky Henderson currently provide the front four in the market, which is headed by the latter's French import Solix. There are also a couple of Grade 2 steeplechases at Newbury, namely the three-mile Aon and the two-mile Game Spirit, both of which are often used as final preps for Festival hopefuls.

The day's other two jumps meetings take place at Ayr and Warwick, the latter hosting the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices' Chase, won last year by Long Run, while there is all-weather racing at both Lingfield and Wolverhampton.

There's a good quality card at Leopardstown in Ireland, but Musselburgh also features a couple of really interesting contests, including the Scottish Triumph Hurdle......

Timeform run the rule over the next week's racing, which starts with an all-star card at Leopardstown on Sunday and ends with another at Newbury on Saturday......

The Irish Hennessy meeting at Leopardstown is the last stepping stone before the Cheltenham Festival for many leading ante-post fancies from across the Irish Sea and the four Grade 1 events on the card all promise to be high-class renewals....

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Horseracing Betting Briefing: Champion Hurdle pointers at Sandown and Ffos Las

Weekly Betfair Briefing / Timeform / 29 January 2011 / Leave a Comment

Peddlers Cross: Has the option of Sandown or Ffos Las on Saturday

"Peddlers Cross is a potential opponent for Binocular at Sandown, but if Donald McCain’s unbeaten hurdler doesn’t go there then there may still be an opportunity to see him on Saturday at Ffos Las, which stages the Welsh Champion Hurdle"

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which features a couple of potentially informative Champion Hurdle trials...

Sunday January 30

Sunday's meetings in Britain take place over jumps at Fakenham and Hereford (has to pass an inpsection) and on the polytrack at Kempton. The day's best action is over at Punchestown, however, where Champion Chaser Big Zeb is the star attraction in the Grade 2 Tied Cottage Chase.

Monday January 31

Ayr and Ludlow are the venues for Monday's jumping, while it's Wolverhampton for all-weather punters.

Tuesday February 1

February kicks off with three meetings in Britain - over jumps at Folkestone and Taunton and on the fibresand at Southwell.

Wednesday February 2

There are a total of four meetings scheduled in Britain on Wednesday - two apiece over jumps (Leicester, Newcastle) and on the all-weather (Lingfield, Kempton). The action also resumes in Ireland with a six-race card at Down Royal.

Thursday February 3

Thursday's NH action takes place at Towcester and Wincanton in Britain and Clonmel in Ireland, while there are also all-weather cards at Southwell and Wolverhampton.

Friday February 4

It's one jumps card in Britain (Catterick) and two in Wales (Bangor, Chepstow) on Friday, to go with fixtures on the all-weather at Lingfield in the afternoon and Wolverhampton in the evening.

Saturday February 5

The best of three NH fixtures on Saturday is the one at Sandown, one of the highlights of which is the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase over two and a half miles. The race hasn't proved the most solid guide to future stars in recent seasons, though last year's winner Punchestowns did go off favourite for the RSA Chase on his next start.

Though only a listed event, the best race on the card at Sandown is very likely to be the two-mile Contenders Hurdle in which Champion Hurdler Binocular is set to have his final outing before Cheltenham. Peddlers Cross is a potential opponent for Binocular at Sandown, but if Donald McCain's unbeaten hurdler doesn't go there then there may still be an opportunity to see him on Saturday at Ffos Las, which stages the Welsh Champion Hurdle. Oscar Whisky, also prominent in the Champion Hurdle market, is set to run at Ffos Las as he seeks to confirm the striking impression of his win at Cheltenham last time.

The day's other jumps card is at Wetherby, where the feature is the Grade 2 Towton Novices' Chase, while the all-weather action rolls on at Lingfield.

Timeform look ahead to next week's racing, which features a couple of potentially informative Champion Hurdle trials......

Timeform's Simon Baker looks through the main contenders for what is shaping up to be the best Champion Hurdle in many seasons......

There may be only five runners, but this Kempton handicap looks one of the most interesting races of the day.......

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