Ballydoyle aces gun for Breeders' Cup riches and Grade 1 jump racing returns - here's what you can't afford to miss this week

Want to know the big things happening in the 24/7 world of racing this week? We've got you covered, as we look at all you shouldn't miss over the next seven days . . .

Del Mar drama

The jump season may be in full swing but all eyes will turn to the Flat this weekend as the star-studded Breeders' Cup takes place at Del Mar. 

Leading names from Britain, Ireland and beyond will leave the cold for some California sunshine with two days of Grade 1 action in store, as the juveniles take centre stage on Friday followed by the older horses on Saturday. 

Among the international raiders likely to run on Friday into the early hours of Saturday morning are Ballydoyle two-year-olds Precise, True Love, Gstaad and Mission Central, plus the Andrew Balding pair of Pacific Mission and Humidity. 

Saturday evening is the main event and plenty of British and Irish stalwarts will try to earn some of the valuable prize-money across the day's nine Grade 1 events. 

Arizona Blaze and Bucanero Fuerte will lead Amo Racing's hopes in the sprinting division while Amiloc, Rebel's Romance, Minnie Hauk and Wimbledon Hawkeye could go for riches in the Breeders' Cup Turf (9.41). 

More big names will appear in the Breeders' Cup Mile (11.05), with the likes of Notable Speech, The Lion In Winter and Jonquil entered. 

The pick of the action from the US team is the Breeders' Cup Classic (10.25), in which Sovereignty and Journalism, who have dominated the Classic division this year, meet for the first time since the Belmont Stakes. The stage is set for a thrilling two days. 

Whacker back for more?

If the Breeders' Cup is not to your fancy, there is plenty of quality jump racing ahead thanks to Wetherby's popular Charlie Hall raceday on Saturday. 

The feature 3m chase (2.57) has been won by well-known names such as Cue Card, Bristol De Mai and last year's scorer The Real Whacker, who could return to defend his title this week. 

Patrick Neville's flagbearer could be joined by the likes of the Paul Nicholls-trained Stage Star, while there is lots to like about the undercard too, with Grade 1 winners Potters Charm and Strong Leader among the possible entries for the Grade 2 West Yorkshire Hurdle (2.22). 

The Real Whacker: could return to Wetherby on SaturdayCredit: Michael Steele

More insight into this season's biggest jumps stars can been found in the Racing Post's stable tour series, with Gordon Elliott, Donald McCain and Gary and Josh Moore among the trainers pulling back the curtain on their squads this week. 

Grade 1 glory up for grabs

On Saturday, a host of familiar names head to Down Royal for the Grade 1 BetVictor Champion Chase (2.40). 

Predictably, the field looks likely to be a largely Irish affair with last year's winner Envoi Allen and fellow Grade 1 winners Hewick, Spillane's Tower and Found A Fifty among the possible runners. 

Pic D'Orhy: holds an entry at Down Royal on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

While domestic runners will be dominant in the 3m race, there is an intriguing British contingent with Ga Law a possible for Jamie Snowden and Pic D'Orhy entered for Paul Nicholls. 

Irish trainers have had a stranglehold on this race for 13 years, but Nicholls was the last one to break their hold when triumphing with the indomitable Kauto Star in 2012. Perhaps he can repeat the feat. 

Handicap fields take shape

We are treated to our first look at some the most competitive races this side of Christmas as entries for the Coral Gold Cup, Paddy Power Gold Cup and Greatwood Hurdle drop on Tuesday. 

The Coral Gold Cup, staged at Newbury on November 29, will have a mix of tried-and-tested handicappers as well as rising stars, while the Greatwood and Paddy Power Gold Cup take place two weeks earlier at Cheltenham's November meeting. 

Punters should take advantage of the bigger odds on offer once entries are revealed at noon, with Nicholls – who trained the Coral Gold Cup and Paddy Power winners last year – likely to be well represented again. 

This week's meetings

Monday
Lingfield (first race 12.25), Redcar (12.30), Galway (12.35), Wexford (1.17), Bangor (1.40), Newcastle (4.10), Wolverhampton (4.23)

Tuesday
Catterick (1.10), Leicester (1.20), Ffos Las (1.28), Wolverhampton (5.00)

Wednesday
Fakenham (1.07), Nottingham (1.17) Newton Abbot (1.23), Dundalk (2.31), Kempton (4.50)

Thursday
Newcastle (1.08), Stratford (1.17), Bath (1.25), Thurles (1.30), Chelmsford (4.45), Southwell (5.00)

Friday
Newmarket (12.40), Uttoxeter (12.55), Down Royal (1.02), Wetherby (1.17), Southwell (4.45), Dundalk (5.30), Del Mar (9.45)

Saturday
Down Royal (12.25), Newmarket (12.32), Wetherby (12.40), Ayr (12.48), Ascot (12.55), Newcastle (3.20), Del Mar (7.00)

Sunday
Curragh (12.25), Carlisle (12.32), Cork (12.40), Huntingdon (12.48)

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