Action returns to Punchestown before big guns take centre stage on Champions Day

Monday

Chepstow's two-day October meeting traditionally marks the unofficial beginning of the jumps season, but fans of the code are given a chance to take an early breather on Monday with all four meetings in Britain and Ireland staged on the Flat.

The Aidan O'Brien stable are cooking with gas now and look to bag more autumn success at Gowran Park with several eyecatching pedigrees among their quartet in the opening mile maiden (1.55).

With the benefit of previous experience, the yard's Il Paradiso could prove a tough nut to track but it might be prudent to keep your Racing Post trackers close to hand with Gathering Storm, a full brother to the brilliant racemare Alice Springs, making his debut in the same contest.

Paul Midgley is another man who could be hitting the ground running this week. A fine trainer of sprinters, he appears to have pinpointed a winnable opportunity at Musselburgh for Tarboosh in the Flying Scotsman Conditions Stakes (3.50) over the minimum trip and official ratings suggest he must go close.

Sadly there's no racing at Windsor after a deluge hit the track on Sunday night, but there are cards at Yarmouth, Windsor and Kempton to add to the day's itinerary.

Tuesday

Jump racing returns to Punchestown for the first time this season which will no doubt evoke memories of frustration for Gordon Elliott.

Last season he built a huge lead in the Irish trainers' championship, but Willie Mullins had other ideas. Elliott's dreams of a maiden title were crushed by a monumental week for Mullins at the Punchestown festival in April as he stole victory at the 11th hour from his younger rival.

Further National Hunt action takes place at Huntingdon and Hereford and punters can enjoy Flat racing at Leicester and on the all-weather at Kempton.

Wednesday

The spotlight continues to shine on Punchestown for the second day of its opening meeting and a pair of Graded contests certainly whet the appetite for the season ahead – especially if last year's winners are anything to go by.

Last season, the Grade 3 Buck House Novice Chase (3.40) was won by subsequent top-level scorer Death Duty and the Grade 3 Irish Daily Star Chase (4.10) was taken by the top-class Road To Respect in a big-race double for owners Gigginstown House Stud.

Wetherby is the place to go for British jumping and Flat fans can soak up afternoon meetings at Nottingham and Bath before keeping a close eye on the evening racing at Newcastle's Tapeta track.

Thursday

Those with ante-post interests on Qipco Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday will be keen to keep a close eye on not only the weather but also the 48-hour declarations two days prior.

One high-profile name's target which is yet to have been decided is the three-time Group 1 winner Roaring Lion.

Connections have indicated that anything with 'good' in the description will spark a tilt at the 1m2f Qipco Champion Stakes against stablemate Cracksman, whereas soft ground or worse will lead to the QEII Stakes over a mile being seriously considered for the flying grey.

As for the Thursday racing itself, there are some six meetings to take aim at, with action from Brighton, Carlisle, Uttoxeter, Wolverhampton, Chelmsford and Tramore.

Friday

With the finishing touches being applied to his key Ascot hopes, Aidan O'Brien – a man you feel will have a big say on Saturday's proceedings – can warm up with Group victory at Dundalk.

Among the Ballydoyle entries in the Group 3 Al Basti Equiworld Mercury Stakes (8.00) are the talented pairing of The Irish Rover and Gossamer Wings, in a race where juveniles are eligible to tackle the older horses in receipt of favourable weight terms.

Haydock, Fakenham, Redcar and Wincanton provide an even spread of Flat and jump racing, while Newcastle supports Dundalk with further evening all-weather action.

Saturday

Qipco Champions Day at Ascot has been a major highlight of the Flat season ever since its inception in 2011 and four Group 1 races provide punters with a feast fit for a king.

It is John Gosden who looks to have the best hand of all for the day with the trainer remarkably having ante-post favourites in three of the six races on the card.

Stradivarius in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup (1.25), Lah Ti Dar in the Qipco British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes (2.40) and Cracksman in the Qipco British Champion Stakes (3.50) could crown what has been a truly incredible season for the master of Clarehaven.

Rest assured there will be plenty of other opportunities for a bet on the day with the supporting cast coming from Market Rasen, Catterick, Stratford, Wolverhampton and Ffos Las, where it's Welsh Champion Hurdle day.

Sunday

Saturday's Qipco Champions Day will provide the last opportunity to see many of the best Group 1 operators this season, but Naas ensures that the Flat show goes on in Ireland the following day.

There is no such story in Britain, though, with Kempton and Sedgefield's attention set on the jumps.

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