Go Racing this October: the jumps are back at Cheltenham before a Halloween-inspired raceday at Aintree

We've reached the time of year when the Flat and jumps collide, resulting in a feast of action to suit all tastes.

The Flat remains the main focus and understandably so with the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, Newmarket playing host to some key two-year-old contests and the staging of Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot.

Meanwhile, the core jumps season returns with Chepstow's inaugural three-day Welsh Racing Festival kicking things off and followed by the Showcase meeting at Cheltenham and the Old Roan Chase at Aintree.

October racing highlights in Britain and Ireland

England

North

CORAL SPRINT TROPHY, YORK: The season draws to a close at York with the staging of the £100,000 6f handicap at a fixture also featuring the Listed Rockingham Stakes. Saturday, October 11 (Tickets)

FUTURITY TROPHY, DONCASTER: The final Group 1 of the British season is staged at Doncaster with the two-year-old contest contested by the finest juveniles all looking to prove their potential as future champions. Saturday, October 25 (Tickets)

OLD ROAN CHASE, AINTREE: The home of the Grand National opens its doors for the first time in the core jumps season with the feature Grade 2 handicap chase always a race to savour. Sunday, October 26 (Tickets)

South

CUMBERLAND LODGE, ASCOT: The 1m4f contest is one of two Group 3s on the card along with the Bengough Stakes, while the £180,000 Challenge Cup is the richest 7f handicap in Britain. Saturday, October 4 (Tickets)

SUN CHARIOT, NEWMARKET: The start of another busy month at Flat racing's headquarters with the 20th running of the Group 1 Sun Chariot on a day also featuring the £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes. Saturday, October 4 (Tickets)

FILLIES' MILE, NEWMARKET: The opening day of Future Champions Weekend is headlined by the Group 1 Fillies' Mile and supported by the Group 2 Challenge Stakes and three Group 3s. Friday, October 10 (Tickets)

CESAREWITCH, NEWMARKET: The second leg of the autumn double is the focal point of day two of Future Champions Weekend when the juvenile highlight is the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes. Saturday, October 11 (Tickets)

BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY, ASCOT: Champions are crowned at the thrilling finale to the British Flat season, with no fewer than five Group 1s – the Long Distance Cup, Champions Sprint, Fillies & Mares, Queen Elizabeth II and Champion Stakes. Saturday, October 18 (Tickets)

SHOWCASE DAY ONE, CHELTENHAM: Jump racing returns to its spiritual home over two days, starting with a card featuring a Grade 2 novice hurdle and £100,000 2m handicap chase. Friday, October 24 (Tickets)

SHOWCASE DAY TWO, CHELTENHAM: A big Saturday crowd will flock through the Cheltenham gates for another stellar fixture, where there's another £100,000 handicap chase – this time for the stayers over 3m1f – topping the bill. Saturday, October 25 (Tickets)

SEASON FINALE, NEWBURY: The last of the track's Flat fixtures for the season is headlined by two Group 3s in the shape of the St Simon Stakes and Horris Hill Stakes. Saturday, October 25 (Tickets)

Wales

PERSIAN WAR, CHEPSTOW: Chepstow's inaugural three-day Welsh Racing Festival signals the start of the core jumps season with the Grade 2 novice hurdle kicking things off in style. Friday, October 10 (Tickets)

SILVER TROPHY, CHEPSTOW: The key jumps meeting continues with the valuable £75,000 handicap hurdle, which is often a starting point for some stars of the winter. Saturday, October 11 (Tickets)

WELSH CHAMPION HURDLE, CHEPSTOW: The £50,000 limited handicap hurdle, which has gradually grown in stature in recent years, tops the bill on the final day. Sunday, October 12 (Tickets)

Ireland

PWC CHAMPION CHASE, GOWRAN: A key date as the track plays host to the Grade 2 contest, which the legendary Sizing Europe won four years in a row. Saturday, October 4 (Tickets)

SUPER SUNDAY, TIPPERARY: A not-to-be-missed meeting with Graded jump races – two hurdles and a chase – and a Group race on the Flat on the same card. Sunday, October 5 (Tickets)

JUMPS RETURN, PUNCHESTOWN: The jumps is back at the course the day before and the quality goes up a notch with a pair of Grade 3 chases on the card. Wednesday, October 15 (Tickets)

JUVENILE DAY, LEOPARDSTOWN: All eyes on the two-year-olds with two Group 3 contests – the Eyrefield Stakes and Killavullan Stakes – providing clues for the future. Saturday, October 18 (Tickets)

MUNSTER NATIONAL, LIMERICK: The prestigious €100,000 handicap is one of the biggest races in the early part of the Irish jumps season. Sunday, October 19 (Tickets)

WINTER FESTIVAL DAY ONE, DOWN ROYAL: Day one of the renowned two-day fixture features two Grade 3 races – the Jezki Hurdle and Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle. Friday, October 31 (Tickets)

October racing fixtures in Britain and Ireland

Bargain hunt: this month's best offers for racing tickets

* Nottingham's £9 racedays continue at the track's five fixtures on October 2, 8, 15, 23 and 29.

* Southwell has put together a punter package for Gents Evening on October 3 costing £23 for general admission, a racecard and two drinks (pints of lager, glasses of house wine or soft drinks).

* Racing fans desperate for the return of the jumps can attend all three days of Chepstow's Welsh Racing Festival on October 10-12, featuring the Persian War, Silver Trophy and Welsh Champion, for a special price of £39, costing just £13 per day. 

* Naas has a special offer for its only two-day meeting of the year on October 11-12 with a €25 punter pack for groups of ten people or more, including admission, racecard, €10 food voucher, €10 matched bet with sponsors Colm White Bookmakers and complimentary pint.

* Racegoers can get advanced tickets for £8 for the Catterick Dash – the track's richest race – on October 18. The seven-race fixture has a morning slot, with the first race scheduled for 11am. There will be live music throughout the day by Elena Larkin and racegoers can stay on to watch live coverage of Champions Day at Ascot on the big screens in the afternoon.

* Doncaster's day at the races special on day one of the Futurity Trophy meeting on October 24 costs £26 for grandstand admission. a drink (pint of lager, glass of house wine or soft drink) and a traditional pie.

Racecourses with special ticket offers and themed racedays in November can send details to goracing@racingpost.com

Out of the ordinary: five eye-catching events

RETRO RACEDAY: Enjoy a nostalgic day at the races at Fontwell with live entertainment alongside the action on the track, at a 2-4-1 price of £25 for two general admission tickets.

Discover retro-inspired fun across the course, including a classic car display showcasing vintage vehicles, live music throughout the day with hits from past decades and much more. Fontwell, October 3 (Tickets)

SYNDICATES RACEDAY: If you want to learn more about ownership opportunities for everyone then head along to the Racehorse Syndicates Association (RSA) fixture at Market Rasen.

Find out more about syndicates at Market RasenCredit: Patrick McCann

A number of RSA members will be on course for you to discuss suitable options within syndicates and clubs at a fixture where entry starts from £10. Market Rasen, October 14 (Tickets)

GENTS RACEDAY: Uttoxeter offers a perfect lads' day out at a raceday combining sport, fashion and live entertainment.

Live Forever – the ultimate Oasis tribute - will play classic hits from the iconic band, and get suited and booted to be in with a chance of winning some fantastic prizes in the best dressed competition. Uttoxeter, October 17 (Tickets)

JUMP SUNDAY: Kempton will celebrate the return of jump racing with an informative and educational raceday shining the light on rural life.

As well as going behind the scenes with a masterclass with jump jockeys, there will be an exploration of rural skills with insights from local beekeepers and an interactive meet-and-greet with small livestock. Kempton, October 19 (Tickets)

HALLOWEEN FAMILY DAY: Aintree starts its season with a fun-filled fixture on Old Roan Chase day featuring lots of entertainment to support the top-quality racing on the track.

There will be Halloween-inspired activities, including face painting, and racegoers will have the added treat of course legend Vieux Lion Rouge parading before the veteran's chase named in his honour. Aintree, October 26 (Tickets)

Making a day of it: Sligo

Nestled at the foothills of Mount Benbulben and Knocknarea, Sligo is one of the most picturesque racecourses in Ireland and now is the time to visit before the summer track shuts down for the year, writes Denis Harney.

There are just two meetings left on this year’s calendar, with both of them taking place in October, and if visitors want to experience the relaxed, friendly vibe that defines Sligo, they would be best served attending the season finale on October 24 as opposed to the student raceday on October 1.

Locals will tell you there’s nothing quite like a day at the races here, where the crowds are lively (livelier still when students come to town) and the views across the Ox Mountains are as much a part of the attraction as the action on the track.

Sligo celebrated its 70th anniversary in August, and although you can sense the history permeating, multi-million euro upgrades in recent years mean that racegoers can enjoy a day at the races with 21st-century comfort.

Sligo: stunning views at popular trackCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Getting there is easy: Sligo Town is well connected by train and bus, with regular services from Dublin and Galway. Those living in Britain can also benefit from direct flights to Knock Airport from Birmingham, Manchester and London, leaving just a 45-minute drive to the track upon arrival.

Yeats country has plenty to offer away from the track, with stunning landscapes that inspired the great poet during his lifetime and continue to captivate visitors with their timeless beauty and rich cultural heritage.

Hikers can climb the aforementioned Mount Benbulben, while the Devil’s Chimney lays claim to being Ireland’s tallest waterfall. Those willing to brave the icy Atlantic waters will find a thriving surfing scene on Strandhill beach, with people travelling from around the world to test their skills against the mighty toppling waves.

If you're in search of something a little more relaxing, perhaps a luxurious soak in a seaweed bath is for you. Located close by to the beach, Voya offers the organic treatment, which they claim can moisturise your skin, increase circulation and promote healing.

There are food options to suit all tastes and budgets. Eala Bhan covers the fine dining end of things for a reasonable price, while the Hargadon Brothers pub offers traditional Irish fare in a cosy atmosphere that oozes charm - the perfect spot for a post-race pint and a hearty meal.

Tickets for the races start at €20, with concessions available, and the track is running an early bird offer for the student raceday on October 1, details of which are available at countysligoraces.com. 

Pack the passport: Melbourne spring carnival

If you're going to travel to the other side of the world you need a good reason and what better motive for a racing fan than experiencing the stunning spectacle of Australia's greatest race, writes Andrew Dietz.

We all know the Melbourne Cup is the race that stops a nation but to truly understand why it captures the public’s attention like few sporting events can, you ought to go and see it for yourself.

On a designated public holiday in Victoria, millions watch the race live and the build-up is befitting of such a grand occasion with parades, fashion, lunches and sweepstakes making it a social and cultural phenomenon, not just a sporting one.

With the average flight time to Melbourne from the UK a slightly daunting 24 hours, you're probably going to want to make a trip of it and with the Melbourne spring carnival already under way, there are lots of chances to take in some warm-up races before the big one at Flemington on November 4.

You've got the Caulfield Cup on October 18 and the Cox Plate on October 25 to name just two and the carnival continues after the Melbourne Cup as well.

For Melbourne Cup day, general admission with the Flemington Pass costs A$120 (£59) with all ticket options and hospitality packages on the Victoria Racing Club's official site (vrc.com.au).

Book that once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Melbourne CupCredit: Robert Cianflone

Melbourne is a sports-mad city. The gargantuan Melbourne Cricket Ground, with its 100,000 attendance, is definitely worth a visit, be it a tour or going along for the Australia v India T20 on the Friday night (October 31) before the Melbourne Cup on the Tuesday.   

Queen Victoria Market is a great place for shopping and you can take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Head to the beach to cool off, with the popular St Kilda and its lively promenade the perfect place for an afternoon of relaxing.

If you want to travel further afield, a trip along the Great Ocean Road is highly recommended. The scenic drive along the southwest coast of Victoria offers spectacular coastal views and opportunities for surfing, hiking and wildlife spotting. Hire a car, plan your stop-off points and get to know the locals.

Melbourne’s marvellous food scene offers something for everyone. Anyone visiting the city should pay at least one visit to the iconic Pellegrini’s Italian restaurant, where the counter-top service and super pasta dishes might make you believe you’re in Sicily.

Skip the hotel breakfast one morning and head to Lune for some of the world’s best croissants. Almost anywhere you go in Melbourne, a city that worships coffee, you’ll find flat whites better than you've had before.

The average cost of a round-trip flight from London to Melbourne in economy is around £800-£900 and once you're there accommodation options are plentiful. 

First-time visitors tend to focus on city-centre locations but if you don't mind a short tram ride or walk, neighbouring suburbs Fitzroy and Collingwood offer a more quirky and local vibe.

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