Extra midweek quality before a blockbuster Saturday promises late festival clues

Monday

There are some intriguing contests to start the week with Catterick staging a competitive 3m1f handicap chase (3.15) on its six-race card, where champion jockey in waiting Brian Hughes aims to continue his red-hot form.

Hughes is currently riding at a 28 per cent strike-rate and partners the Nicky Richards-trained Marown, who was a classy novice chaser last season.

Two good handicaps headline Wolverhampton's evening all-weather fixture, while there is also jumping action from Plumpton in the afternoon.

Tuesday

Fred Gingell rode an emotional first winner under rules for his grandfather Colin Tizzard on West Approach this month and he teams up with the 12-year-old again in the 2m7½f hunter chase (4.30) at Lingfield, which also stages a marathon 3m5f handicap chase.

Ayr stages a seven-race card that includes four Racing Post Go North Series qualifiers before Newcastle wraps up the day's proceedings with an evening fixture.

Wednesday

The 2016 Champion Bumper winner Ballyandy won for the first time in more than two years when hacking up at Fakenham last week and he could make a swift reappearance after that wide-margin success in the 2m3½f handicap hurdle (2.05) at Wetherby.

Ballyandy: back to winning waysCredit: Mark Cranham

Useful bumper horse Coquelicot picked up a first success over hurdles last time out and may attempt to back that up in the feature 3m1½f mares' handicap hurdle (3.40) at Hereford, where she could come up against Grade 2 winner Anythingforlove.

There is also all-weather action from Dundalk and Kempton.

Thursday

There is some good-quality action from Sandown and the Grade 2 Jane Seymour Mares' Novices' Hurdle (2.20) could feature a potential Cheltenham Festival performer in Holly Hartingo, who has made a perfect start over hurdles for Alastair Ralph including an easy win at Huntingdon last month.

On the same card, the amateur jockeys from the military have been denied the chance to ride in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup (2.55) for the past two years but get their chance to do so again.

There is also jumps action at Clonmel, which stages a Grade 3 novice hurdle, Fontwell and Leicester.

The evening card at Chelmsford has a 7f All-Weather Championships fast-track qualifier for fillies (7.00).

Friday

Ann Hamilton has enjoyed an excellent season from just a handful of horses in training and one of her stars, Pay The Piper, could bid to give the trainer an 11th win of the season in the 2m5½f handicap chase (3.05) at Kelso, which stages a competitive seven-race card.

Fakenham also hosts a seven-race fixture in the afternoon alongside an all-weather meeting at Lingfield, before Southwell and Dundalk provide the Friday evening action.

Saturday

Another blockbuster day of action featuring the last Grade 1 in Britain before the Cheltenham Festival with the Ascot Chase (3.35), which could include King George VI Chase third Saint Calvados, Mister Fisher and last year's winner Dashel Drasher. The Ascot card also features the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices' Chase (1.50).

Dashel Drasher: beat Master Tommytucker in last year's Ascot ChaseCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The Grand National Trial (2.40) tops the bill at Haydock and may unearth a live contender for the big race in April. The Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle and the Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle are also on the card.

Wincanton adds extra quality to the day's action with the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle, which could see Adagio attempt to cement his claims as a leading British contender for the Champion Hurdle.

In Ireland, Gowran Park stages Red Mills trials day, featuring an intriguing Grade 2 2m4f chase as well as a Grade 3 2m hurdle, while there is all-weather action from Lingfield and Newcastle in the afternoon on a busy day of racing.

Sunday

Navan's card takes centre stage with Grade 2 prizes on offer in the Boyne Hurdle, in which Beacon Edge prevailed in a Gigginstown-owned 1-2 in last year's running, and the Ten Up Novice Chase.

It is a quiet day in Britain, with Musselburgh and Newbury providing the action.

New Sky Bet customers can get £20 in free bets. New customers only. First single & e/w bet only. Odds of 1/1 or greater. 2 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non-withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions. Further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.