Big handicaps galore as week builds up to Classic action at the Curragh

Monday

The week begins with afternoon meetings at Ayr and Windsor. Ryan Moore is in action beside the Thames with seven rides across the card, he has an impressive 25 per cent strike-rate at the course. Kempton stages evening racing starting at 4.40.

The pick of the action is in Ireland, more specifically at the picturesque track in Killarney. The eight-race Flat meeting begins at 5.25, with the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cairn Rouge Stakes (6.25) the feature. Roscommon also hosts a jumps card.

Tuesday

There is Group-race action at Longchamp on Tuesday with some of the leading British jockeys crossing the channel in search of quality prize-money. The Group 2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil (3.25), over 1m6f, features the admirable Red Verdon taking on two Charlie Appleby raiders, Moonlight Spirit and Secret Advisor.

Charlie Appleby: well represented at Longchamp on TuesdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Jump racing is back in Britain with Southwell putting on a ten-race card while Ripon, Ayr and Bath stage Flat fixtures.

Wednesday

Many of Newmarket's top trainers send their leading two-year-old prospects to Yarmouth and the early entries suggest the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (1.10) is a quality race.

Also look forward to afternoon action from Catterick and Downpatrick, with the evening's entertainment coming from Killarney and Kempton.

Thursday

Three tracks stage Listed action, starting at Hamilton with the British Stallion Studs Irish Stallion Farms EBF Stakes (3.00), formally known as the Glasgow Stakes. Arrow Of Gold looks a really interesting prospect, the half-brother to Golden Horn winning impressively at Thirsk on his debut.

Arrow Of Gold (yellow silks): goes to Hamilton on ThursdayCredit: David Davies (Getty Images)

Elsewhere, Sandown stages the National Stakes (5.25) for the speedy two-year-olds and the entries for the Nijinsky Stakes (5.45), over 1m4f at Leopardstown, are dominated by exciting Aidan O'Brien runners.

Friday

As we gear up for the weekend, Haydock hosts the best of the four meetings in Britain on Friday. The Listed Tapster Stakes (6.55) is the feature while the Marlen Roberts Conditions Stakes could be a quality race with Ostilio, Mubtasim and Happy Power among the entries.

Elsewhere keep an eye out for racing at Beverley, Chepstow and Leicester.

Saturday

An action-packed day of racing with something for everyone. If you like the challenge of finding a winner in a big field then the John Smith's Cup (2.30) is worth watching. Four of the last five winners have been sent off 14-1 or bigger.

York: in action on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Elsewhere, at Newbury horses with plenty of potential can be unearthed in the bet365 Hackwood Stakes (4.00) and bet365 Rose Bowl Stakes (2.15).

But all eyes will be at the Curragh, where the Juddmonte Irish Oaks (7.15) is the Classic highlight. There is Group 2 action to look forward to including the Paddy Power Minstrel Stakes (4.45), GAIN Railway Stakes (6.45) and the Comer Group International Curragh Cup (7.45).

Sunday

The quality does not stop with York and Newbury racing again. The latter stages the Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes (2.50), a ferociously competitive sprint for two-year-olds.

There is Group action at the Curragh again with the Airlie Stud Stakes (3.10), Holden Plant Rentals Sapphire Stakes (4.15) and Kilboy Estate Stakes (4.45).

Place a bet of £1 or more on any UK or Irish race on racingpost.com to watch it live. Click the 'Watch Live' icon at the top of the racecard when it's due to start to watch the full race