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Who will follow in Envoi Allen's footsteps? Naas Grade 1 among week's highlights

Kimberlite Candy: winner of last season's Classic Chase at Warwick
Kimberlite Candy: winner of last season's Classic Chase at WarwickCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Monday

There is a seven-race card at Doncaster including an informative beginners' chase (1.50), which has attracted three quality runners: Ballymoy, Minella Trump and the Paul Nicholls-trained Stratagem.

Trainer Sheila Lewis surpassed her best seasonal tally in one day at Hereford earlier this season and sends two runners to the track, including Volcano, who will bid for a hat-trick under Ben Jones.

There is action for the all-weather enthusiasts from Dundalk and Wolverhampton, which stages a seven-race evening card.

Tuesday

The jumps action is provided by Fairyhouse and Wetherby, which stages a Northern Lights Staying Chase Series qualifier (3.10). Last year's winner Ice Cool Champs lined up in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival.

At Fairyhouse, where prospects of racing hinge on a 1pm Monday inspection, Dreal Deal will bid for a remarkable sixth success in a row for trainer Ronan McNally in a competitive 2m hurdle (1.20).

There are two all-weather Flat cards from Lingfield and Newcastle.

Wednesday

Naas stages a seven-race card, rescheduled from Sunday due to frozen ground, which includes the Grade 1 Lawlor's Of Naas Novice Hurdle (2.20), won last year by undefeated superstar Envoi Allen.

The race has attracted a typically talented field including Blue Lord, who is held in high esteem by trainer Willie Mullins after winning a maiden hurdle on his first start for the yard.

Blue Lord: bids to maintain his unbeaten record over fences in the Irish Arkle
Blue Lord: a leading fancy in the rescheduled Grade 1 Lawlor's Of Naas Novice HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

There are two British jump meetings at Leicester and Plumpton, while the evening all-weather action will be provided by Kempton.

Thursday

Days after the rescheduled Welsh Grand National, Catterick stages another marathon contest with the North Yorkshire Grand National Handicap Chase (2.40), which has attracted some top entries.

Sam's Adventure, winner of the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase at Haydock, and Le Breuil, who was third in the Grade 3 Becher Chase last time, are among those who could turn up.

There is jumps action from Fontwell and Bangor, which both stage seven-race cards, and an all-weather meeting at Chelmsford.

Friday

Birchdale, a Grade 2 winner, is among the entries for the Racing TV Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (1.30) at Huntingdon.

The JP McManus-owned seven-year-old, who was eighth in the Coral Cup at the festival in March, unseated at Catterick in November.

Huntingdon stages seven races alongside afternoon action from Sedgefield and Newcastle, followed by a meeting at Southwell.

Saturday

There is a feast of Graded action from Warwick, featuring the Grade 3 Classic Chase (3.00), won last season by Kimberlite Candy, who is among the leading fancies for this year's Grand National.

The track also stages two Grade 2s: the Hampton Novices' Chase (1.50) and the Ballymore Leamington Novices' Hurdle (2.25), won last year by Ballymore fifth Mossy Fen for Nigel Twiston-Davies.

Chatham Street Lad: could be bound for the Marsh Novices Chase
Chatham Street Lad: set to race at Fairyhouse on Saturday before heading to the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Edward Whitaker

The supporting action is provided by Market Rasen and Fairyhouse, where Caspian Caviar Gold Cup winner Chatham Street Lad is favourite for the Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase (2.15). There are two Flat cards to enjoy from Lingfield and Kempton.

Sunday

Punchestown stages the Grade 2 Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Hurdle, a race leading trainer Gordon Elliott has won in the previous two seasons with Andy Dufresne and Felix Desjy.

There is also a jumps meeting at Kelso and some all-weather action from Southwell.


Read more:

'Properly mature' Paisley Park bouncing before bid for third Cleeve Hurdle

Monday's free racing tips: best bets to start the week from Racing Post staff

Is racing on or off? Updated weather prospects for the upcoming meetings


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Published on 11 January 2021inNews

Last updated 11:27, 11 January 2021

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