What's on this week: Ayr Gold Cup, Mill Reef, Yarmouth festival and much more

Monday

It's a run of the mill Monday with three afternoon meetings at Thirsk, Worcester and Brighton followed by an evening fixture at Kempton.

The feature 2m handicap chase (2.50) at Worcester is worth £20,000 and has attracted several in-form horses, including the hat-trick-seeking Bathiva and Admiral’s Sunset as well as the talented Pisgah Pike. Four of the five runners have won over course and distance, while the other, Mercian Prince, is a course winner.

Tuesday

There's plenty of entertainment on day one of the Eastern festival at Yarmouth, while Fontwell, Redcar and Punchestown, where Gordon Elliott will saddle his first runners since his six-month suspension, are the other courses hosting afternoon action. Wolverhampton stages an evening meeting to finish off the day.

Hugo Palmer bids for a Listed success at Saint-Cloud with consistent three-year-old Quenelle D’Or in the Prix des Tourelles (2.35). Ioritz Mendizabal is booked to ride the filly.

Wednesday

So Mi Dar and Fanny Logan are among recent winners of the Listed EBF Stallions John Musker Fillies’ Stakes (2.15) at Yarmouth, with Cabaletta, Sweet Believer, Technique and Ville De Grace entered for Wednesday’s renewal.

Yarmouth: three-day Eastern festival is this weekCredit: Edward Whitaker

There's also Listed action at Sandown courtesy of the Chasemore Farm Fortune Stakes (3.30). Richard Hannon has won three of the last four runnings and Qaysar is his sole entry. A decent card at Kelso is the twilight offering from 4pm, with Beverley and Sligo hosting afternoon fixtures.

Thursday

The final day of Yarmouth’s Eastern festival coincides with day one of the three-day Ayr Gold Cup meeting. The Virgin Bet Kilkerran Cup Handicap (4.10) is the highlight at Ayr and last year’s winner First Impression could return off a 3lb higher mark.

Pontefract and Naas is where the other afternoon action takes place and the evening entertainment comes from Chelmsford.

Friday

The quality increases on day two at Ayr with the Listed British EBF Stallions Rosebery Stakes (2.10) and Arran Scottish Sprint EBF Fillies’ Stakes (2.45), with Keep Busy a likely leading player in the latter.

King Of Conquest and Westover are potential top prospects entered in the Haynes, Hanson & Clark Conditions Stakes (2.55) at Newbury, which is followed by the Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup Stakes (3.30). Newton Abbot’s fixture completes the afternoon racing in Britain, with racing at Downpatrick and Dundalk in Ireland.

Saturday

The Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup (3.40) is the big betting race of the day. Four-year-olds have won four of the last six runnings and ante-post favourite Great Ambassador is that age, winning a Listed event at York this month.

Harry Angel: won the Mill Reef in 2016Credit: Clint Hughes

ITV4’s coverage also includes Newbury, where there are three Group races – the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (2.50), Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes (2.15) and Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup (4.00). Other meetings take place at Newmarket, Catterick, Gowran Park, Navan and Wolverhampton.

Sunday

Sunday marks the start of the seven-day Harvest festival at Listowel, while in Britain it is a quiet afternoon with meetings at Hamilton and Plumpton.

Read more:

'We need to deliver' - Harry Fry setting the bar high for new season

Find out which French youngster has Jamie Snowden dreaming of a first Grade 1

Perfect Power and Sigurd do their bit as racehorses spread joy across Yorkshire

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets