What's on this week: Classic trials on the horizon before an epic jumps finale

The jumps season finale at Sandown on Saturday looks set to be a thriller while the Flat season continues to heat up with a cracking card at the Esher track on Friday. Easter Monday will allow no rest for trainers, jockeys and stable staff alike, with eight meetings in Britain and Ireland

Monday

The Irish Grand National takes centre stage at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday and three Grade 2 races accompany the €500,000 3m5f handicap, including the Keelings Irish Strawberry Hurdle.

Cork is the other Irish track to host a meeting while Chepstow, Fakenham, Huntingdon and Plumpton provide jumps fans with some entertainment in Britain.

There are plenty of options for racing enthusiasts as Redcar and Wolverhampton stage Flat meetings in the afternoon.

Further afield there is Group action in Italy and Germany.

Tuesday

Fairyhouse continues with Grade 3 action for the mares, while Ludlow and Sedgefield host jumps meetings in Britain.

Yarmouth's opening fixture of the season starts at 1.30, while Lingfield and Wolverhampton provide evening action with seven-race cards.

Wednesday

It's a big day for Epsom as the track hosts its opening meeting of the season with the Listed Investec Blue Riband Trial inviting clues for the Derby in June. Won in 2017 by the brilliant Cracksman, will we see another rising star this year?

Cracksman: won the traditional Derby trial at Epsom in AprilCredit: Mark Cranham

There are plenty of jumps meetings on offer too with Taunton, Perth, Southwell and Fontwell all staging fixtures. Perth's showpiece race is the Listed EBF Stallions Gold Castle "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle, won last year by the useful Calett Mad.

Dundalk provides the sole evening meeting with a seven-race card beginning at 5.40.

Thursday

The second day of Perth's three-day meeting takes place with the valuable 2m4f Heineken UK River Tay Handicap Chase the feature of the day.

Warwick and Kempton are the other two British jumps fixtures, while Tipperary and Beverley host afternoon Flat meetings. Chelmsford offer an evening card with a 5.30 start.

Friday

The first day of Sandown's two-day meeting is all about Classic clues. The ITV4 cameras will be in attendance for the Group 3 bet365 Classic Trial, which has not provided a Classic winner for a while. That could change with the exciting Bangkok among the entries. King George runner-up Crystal Ocean could make his seasonal debut in the Gordon Richards Stakes, while the Group 2 bet365 Mile has attracted an intriguing field, including Ostilio and Sharjah Bridge.

Crystal Ocean: could make his seasonal reappearance at SandownCredit: Edward Whitaker

Doncaster also provides Flat fans with another meeting, while Perth hosts a Listed mares' chase with two other jumps fixtures at Chepstow and Bangor.

Saturday

The jumps season finale at Sandown is always one of the highlights of April and the champion trainer and jockey will be crowned once again. The crowd will also be in for a treat with the potential clash between dual Champion Chase winner Altior and Ascot Chase victory Cyrname in the Celebration Chase. Two Grade 2s and a Grade 3 truly makes it a day to savour.

Elsewhere, it's all about the Flat as Ripon, Leicester, Haydock and Doncaster all hold afternoon fixtures.

Sunday

Navan hosts the Group 3 Vintage Crop Stakes, won in the past by the likes of Fame And Glory and Order Of St George.

Meanwhile, in Britain, Salisbury and Wetherby hold their first Flat meetings of the season, with the latter offering plenty of family entertainments, including the Guinness World Record Holding ‘Mascot Gold Cup’.

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