What's on this week: Cyrname among host of jumps stars ready to dazzle

Monday

The week starts with a bang at Wexford where Minella Indo could stake an early claim for the Cheltenham Gold Cup when he begins his campaign in the Grade 3 M.W. Hickey Memorial Chase (3.15).

The Henry de Bromhead trained seven-year-old was runner-up in a thrilling renewal of the RSA Chase and while only three oppose him, there is substantial competition in the shape of Gordon Elliott's Kim Muir winner Milan Native.

Elliott also runs Andy Dufresne in the Garry Flood Landscaping Beginners Chase (3.50) as the exciting youngster, winner of the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Hurdle at Punchestown in January, makes his debut over fences.

There are also Flat meetings at Leicester and Redcar, with Paul Hanagan searching for his 2,000th win at the former. He needs three more victories to become the sixth active jockey to reach the milestone.

Tuesday

Oisin Murphy is closing in on a personal milestone of his own and the reigning champion jockey only needs two more victories to reach 1,000 wins in Britain.

If he can't achieve it at Redcar on Monday, he has three more shots at success on the evening card at Southwell, one of four meetings on Tuesday.

The jumps season continues apace at Chepstow where the in-form Paul Nicholls saddles four, including Blackjack Kentucky in the CD Racing At tipstersempire.co.uk Beginners' Chase (3.25).

Oisin Murphy: on the brink of riding 1,000 winners in BritainCredit: George Selwyn

Wednesday

The top Irish trainers will continue testing the power of their arsenals at Punchestown with seven races on the card.

Nottingham, Kempton and Dundalk host Flat meetings while Welsh-based trainer Sheila Lewis, successful with each of her last five runners, sends Knight Commander to Taunton seeking a quickfire hat-trick.

Thursday

Clonmel plays host in Ireland while there are five cards to sink your teeth into in Britain.

The pick of the bunch is on the Polytrack at Lingfield where lightly raced Godolphin filly Leafhopper could draw plenty of interest with Frankie Dettori in the saddle for the Listed Fleur De Lys Fillies' Stakes (2.45).

Frankie Dettori teams up with John Gosden with Leafhopper at LingfieldCredit: Edward Whitaker

The John Gosden-trained three-year-old finished down the field in the October Fillies' Stakes at Goodwood last time out after struggling on the heavy ground, but should be more suited by this.

Friday

The Ladbrokes Festival of Racing gets underway at Down Royal with a plethora of stars from Gordon Elliott's Cullentra House yard set to reappear.

Unbeaten Ballymore winner Envoi Allen is due to make his debut over fences, Samcro is bound for a Grade 2 chase for second-season novices and Champion Hurdle contender Abacadabras is pencilled in to contest the Grade 2 WKD Hurdle where he could meet the Willie Mullins-trained Saint Roi.

The two-day Wetherby meeting begins with a pair of Listed contests including the Weatherbys Hamilton Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle (2.50).

Olly Murphy's exciting five-year-old Champagnesuperover holds an entry in the bet365 Novices' Hurdle (3.55) at the same meeting.

Uttoxeter has more jumping action while Newmarket hosts its penultimate meeting of the year and Newcastle keeps the action going into the evening on the all-weather.

Gordon Elliott is set to unleash many of his star names at Down Royal on Friday and SaturdayCredit: Patrick McCann

Saturday

Another action-packed Saturday with Cyrname set to make his long-awaited return to action in the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby (3.20).

The highest-rated chaser in Britain hasn't been seen since falling in the Ascot Chase in February and has been diverted from the PWC Champion Chase at Down Royal (2.25) on the same day.

Delta Work heads the field for that race alongside new stablemate Presenting Percy, while Newmarket flies the flag for Flat fans with three Listed races on its final race day of the year.

Sunday

The rescheduled Group 3 Athasi Stakes (2.35), traditionally a spring trial for the Irish 1,000 Guineas, takes place at Naas after being pushed back as a result of Covid.

In Britain, there's a seven-race card at Carlisle where the Listed Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase takes centre stage.

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