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What's on this week: an epic Champions Day awaits as classy jumpers emerge

Baaeed lands the Prix du Moulin in impressive style to get off the mark in the Tote Ten To Follow competition
Baaeed: set to clash with Palace Pier and Poetic Flare in the QEII at Ascot on SaturdayCredit: Quentin Bertrand (APRH)

Monday

There are some flashy pedigrees on display in the opener at Yarmouth (1.00), including that of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid's Glam De Vega, who is closely related to Poetic Flare.

The colt, who will come up against newcomers from the yards of Charlie Appleby, William Haggas and John and Thady Gosden, boasts an Irish 2,000 Guineas entry.

Fan favourite El Astronaute (left) will be in action at Musselburgh on Monday
Fan favourite El Astronaute (left) will be in action at Musselburgh on MondayCredit: Steve Davies (Getty Images/Pool)

Popular sprinter El Astronaute locks horns with Makanah, Tarboosh and Roulston Scar in the conditions stakes (3.00) at Musselburgh.

All-weather fans have Wolverhampton to watch in the afternoon and Kempton's evening fixture, which kicks off at 5.30.

Tuesday

Supreme Novices' Hurdle second Ballyadam is down to make his chasing debut (1.15) at Punchestown, where he will face race-fit rivals like Cape Gentleman and Buddy Rich.

Ballyadam clears the last under Jack Kennedy to win the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle
Ballyadam: will he take to fences at Punchestown on Tuesday?Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Eyes will also be on the juvenile hurdle (2.20), which last year produced subsequent Triumph Hurdle hero Quilixios.

Huntingdon and Hereford also host cards over jumps, while Leicester and Newcastle will satiate Flat fans.

Wednesday

National Hunt Chase winner Galvin holds an entry in the Grade 3 3m chase (4.05) at Punchestown, where he could come up against Snow Falcon and any one of Rich and Susannah Ricci's chasers Annamix, Koshari and Brahma Bull.

Elliott on Galvin: 'I think the Grand National would be more up his street than the Gold Cup to be honest.'
Galvin: back under the tutelage of Gordon Elliott at PunchestownCredit: Edward Whitaker

Grade 1 winner Cornerstone Lad is among those entered in a 1m7f novice chase (2.13) at Wetherby, where Minella Trump (3.23) could also bid for a five-timer.

The Listed Beckford Stakes (4.15) at Bath could involve the smartly bred Bartzella, multiple winner Sea Sylph and the Paul Nicholls-trained Miranda.

There is more action from Nottingham and Kempton.

Thursday

There are three each of jumps and Flat meetings as anticipation builds towards Qipco British Champions Day on Saturday.

The Curragh hosts a trio of two-year-old maidens while Wincanton races for the first time since April with a six-race jumps card.

Friday

Fakenham and Uttoxeter hold six-race cards over jumps while Haydock, Redcar and Newcastle race on the Flat on a blank day for Irish racing.

Jockeys' championship rivals Oisin Murphy and William Buick are both pencilled in for rides at Haydock as an enthralling title race enters its closing moments.

Saturday

It's Champions Day at Ascot and with four Group 1s in the offing the stars will be out in force to snatch a final top-level success of the season.

Stradivarius and Frankie Dettori after the Prix du CadranLongchamp 2.10.21 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Stradivarius: will it be the champion's swansong on Saturday?Credit: Edward Whitaker

Will we see another rematch between Trueshan and Stradivarius in the Long Distance Cup (1.25)? Emerging stars Hamish and Manobo could also feature and their connections will be hoping it will be a new name on the race's roll of honour.

The Champions Sprint (2.00) is set to feature the tenacious Dragon Symbol, Art Power, Creative Force, Rohaan and Glass Slippers.

We could see a star of next season in the Fillies & Mares Stakes (2.35) as runaway Park Hill heroine Free Wind comes up against the progressive Paddy Twomey-trained La Petite Coco. Arc runners Tarnawa and Snowfall could also make a surprise appearance.

The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.10) could be the race of the season as unbeaten virtuoso Baaeed takes on heavyweights Palace Pier and Poetic Flare in a dazzling showdown on the straight mile, with last year's winner The Revenant also engaged for France.

Palace Pier : will make his next public appearance at the Henry Cecil Newmarket Open Weekend (Photo by John Walton - Pool/Getty Images)
Who is this year's top miler? We'll find out in Saturday's QEIICredit: John Walton (Getty Images)

Mishriff put clean air between himself and his rivals in the Juddmonte International in the summer and will be bidding to banish memories of finishing eighth in the Champion Stakes (3.50) last year. It won't be easy with Addeybb in the field, while Godolphin could throw Adayar and Real World into the mix.

Sunday

With Champions Day over for another year attentions will be firmly focused on the upcoming jumps season, although there is a valuable 7f sales race at Naas (3.25) for those still clinging on to the Flat.


Read more:

Nicholls already thinking big with Bravemansgame after debut chase win

Dubai Honour to be supplemented for Champion Stakes but Skalleti misses out

Champion jockey Colin Keane smashes all-time record for winners in a season


The jumps season is coming! Pick up your copy of the Big Jump Off, our brand new pullout signalling the start of the 2021-22 National Hunt season. Free in the Racing Post on Monday, October 18, it's got 72 pages of unbeatable content including ante-post tips, guest columnists, divisional analysis and much more


Published on 11 October 2021inNews

Last updated 10:22, 11 October 2021

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