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Get ready for a fantastic week of action with spectators and Altior returning

Altior: out to defend his unbeaten record over obstacles on Saturday
Altior: will be back in action this weekendCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Monday

Leading owner Trevor Hemmings, who won the Ladbrokes Trophy on Saturday with Cloth Cap, sends out likely odds-on favourite Castle Rushen in the 2m3½f novice hurdle (12.30) on a top card at Ayr.

There is more jumps action with a six-race card at Fakenham, while Lingfield and Wolverhampton race on the all-weather.

Tuesday

There are three jumps meetings to sink your teeth into, including at Limerick, which stages the Irish Racing Fundraiser For Children's Health Foundation Crumlin In Memory Of Pat Smullen Handicap Hurdle (2.15).

Richard Johnson: rides Truckers Pass at Southwell on Tuesday
Richard Johnson: rides Truckers Pass at Southwell on TuesdayCredit: Getty Images
At Southwell, Truckers Pass, who has finished second three times in the colours of Brocade Racing, bids to finally get his nose in front in the 2m maiden hurdle (2.00) for Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson.

Wednesday

After months of waiting, a limited number of spectators can return to racecourses in England, with action from Lingfield, Haydock, Ludlow and Kempton, which are in Tier 2 areas and can open their doors.

Haydock stages a six-race card that features the 12th leg of the Veterans' Chase Series (2.20), in which a number of familiar faces such as Valtor and Seeyouatmidnight will try to roll back the years.

Thursday

The British action is headlined by a seven-race card at Wincanton, which stages the Weatherbys Racing Bank Silver Buck Handicap Chase (2.00). It is a race that has produced a number of big winners including Copperhead, winner of the Grade 2 Reynoldstown last season.

Copperhead: winner of the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices' Chase last season
Copperhead: winner of the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices' Chase last seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

There are also jumps meetings at Clonmel, Market Rasen and Leicester, with Chelmsford offering evening fare on the all-weather.

Friday

It is the first day of the Tingle Creek meeting at Sandown, featuring the Grade 2 Ballymore Winter Novices' Hurdle (2.25). Paul Nicholls has entered Threeunderthrufive, who could bid for a four-timer.

The track also stages a Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier (3.00), won last year by Go Whatever, who contested a Grade 3 on his next start and those two races plus a 2m4f handicap chase (1.50) will be broadcast on ITV4.

The Big Breakaway may also feature among ITV's coverage as he could bid to build on his winning chase debut in the Download tote Placepot App Novices' Chase (2.05) at Exeter. Like Sandown, three races will be broadcast live from the Devon track.

There is also a seven-race card at Sedgefield and all-weather Flat action to look forward to in the evening from Newcastle.

The Big Breakaway: the Colin Tizzard-trained star could contest a novice chase at Exeter
The Big Breakaway: the Colin Tizzard-trained star could contest a novice chase at ExeterCredit: Edward Whitaker

Saturday

An important day for Nicky Henderson as dual Champion Chase winner Altior, who suffered his first defeat over obstacles when stepped up in trip last season, bids to land his second Grade 1 Betfair Tingle Creek (2.25) at Sandown.


Last year was a disaster for Altior but he's in great form now says Henderson


The track also stages the Grade 1 Planteur At Chapel Stud Henry VIII Novices' Chase (1.50), which Altior landed by six lengths in 2016.

There is Graded action at Aintree too, with the William Hill Becher Handicap Chase (1.30) over the Grand National fences and the Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase (2.40), which is set to feature the return of Henderson's Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Santini.

Sunday

Punchestown hosts the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase (2.10), which has been won for the last two seasons by top-level regular Min.

His trainer Willie Mullins also guided Djakadam to a double here in 2015 and 2016 and is bidding to equal the record seven winners trained by Jim Dreaper, who won the race for the last time in 1995.

It is Huntingdon's big meeting of the season, and the ITV cameras will be in attendance for the Grade 2 Fitzdares Club Loves The Peterborough Chase (2.25), one of four meetings to be broadcast from the track along with two from Kelso.


Read More

Tingle Creek tickets sell out in 17 minutes as Sandown prepares for spectators

Racegoers set to miss out at Chepstow on Saturday as officials seek clarity

'Go online and buy a badge' - Lingfield able to welcome back crowd of 2,000

Ludlow and Lingfield all set to welcome back spectators on Wednesday

No hugs, no high-fives... but can I get a beer? New rules on racecourses

'Top-class rider' Jerry McGrath set to partner Santini in Aintree comeback

Defi Du Seuil a Tingle Creek doubt with Hobbs still in the dark over Shloer flop


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Published on 30 November 2020inNews

Last updated 14:04, 30 November 2020

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