Melbourne Cup, Flat racing's finale and superstars at the Breeders' Cup

Monday

Jump racing is gradually taking precedence for most but the Curragh's eight-race Flat card is worth a second look.

Over jumps, Linelee King was described as "well above average" by Olly Murphy in a recent Racing Post stable tour and tackles the 2m4½f novice hurdle at Plumpton (12.50).

Olly Murphy stable tour (members)

Hereford also race, while Kempton and Wolverhampton provide all-weather action.

Tuesday

Set your alarms before 4 o'clock in the morning to catch the Lexus Melbourne Cup (4.00) at Flemington.

Australia's premier race has so far eluded master trainer Aidan O'Brien, but this year he saddles the favourite Tiger Moth and Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck.

Top owners John Dance and Bryan Drew share ownership of the high-class Paul Nicholls-trained prospect Bravemansgame, who was well touted ahead of his hurdling bow at Chepstow in October.

He produced a fine display to finish half a length behind one of the top bumper horses last season, Soaring Glory, that day, and gets his chance to go one better in the 2m1f novice hurdle at Exeter (1.55).

Esprit Du Large: Grade 1-winning chaser returns to the trackCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

The Grade 2 Haldon Gold Cup (2.25) is the feature race on the card and sees the return of the 158-rated Bun Doran, who heads the weights.

Top-level novices Esprit Du Large and Global Citizen provide stern opposition to the Tom George-trained nine-year-old on their first starts in open company.

Fighting Fifth winner Cornerstone Lad has been declared to race on the Flat off a mark of 71 in the 1m6f handicap (4.10) at Redcar. Meetings at Fairyhouse, Southwell and Newcastle also take place.

Wednesday

The 1m½f maiden (1.40) at Nottingham has produced Group 1 winners Mishriff and Space Blues in recent years, so do not rule out a future champion surfacing.

Charlie Appleby's representative Orientalism is a newcomer to note with James Doyle booked to ride. The Sea The Stars colt is the first horse to make the track out of Bourree, who ran in Covert Love's Prix de l'Opera.

Trainer Ismail Mohammed has excelled in his campaigning of Good Effort, who has risen to a lofty mark of 105 and bids for another victory at Lingfield in the 5f handicap (3.00).

Musselburgh, Dundalk and Kempton supply the remaining entertainment.

Thursday

The Ronan McNally-trained Dreal Deal has improved out of all recognition in the last couple of months and is intriguingly entered for the Pertemps qualifier (3.05) at Newbury.

The five-year-old has landed his last five races and would make major appeal on his rise through the ranks if turning up.

Dreal Deal: a revelation in recent timesCredit: Caroline Norris

There is a Listed mares' chase at Market Rasen (1.37) to look forward to, in which the 150-rated Casablanca Mix may be tough to stop for Nicky Henderson.

Thurles hosts a seven-race card in Ireland, while further British action is served up at Sedgefield, Kempton and Chelmsford.

Friday

Juvenile riches are on offer as the two-day Breeders' Cup meeting at Keeneland opens. The Juvenile Turf (8.10) is the next port of call for the top-class Battleground and the Wesley Ward-trained Campanelle has multiple entries on the card.

Some smart jumpers potentially go to war at Warwick in the 2m novice chase (1.35). The 155-rated hurdler Quel Destin is entered and may clash with the Dan Skelton-trained Allmankind.

Allmankind: may embark on his chasing careerCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Colin Tizzard-trained Faustinovick catches the eye in the 2m2f handicap chase (2.35) at Fontwell.

He was second to Andy Dufresne in his point-to-point and McFabulous in his bumper. 120 appeals as a handicap chase mark with wriggle room.

Further jumping is on the cards at Hexham before attention switches to evening all-weather racing at Newcastle.

Saturday

There are nine Grade 1s to enjoy in the Breeders' Cup on Saturday night, with Magical, Lord North, Mogul, Tarnawa, Circus Maximus, Siskin, One Master, Cayenne Pepper, Peaceful and Glass Slippers ensuring there is plenty of British and Irish interest.

Breeders' Cup card and betting

The last day of Flat turf racing takes place at Doncaster with the November Handicap (3.15) providing the opportunity for middle-distance horses to scoop one more lucrative pot before the winter.

The Grade 2 Elite Hurdle over 1m7½f (3.00) at Wincanton could have ramifications on the Champion Hurdle market, while the Grade 2 "Rising Stars" Novice Chase (2.25) earlier on the card may unearth a future gem.

Willie Mullins: a dab hand in Flat staying handicapsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The 1m6f Naas November Handicap (2.35) is the premier event in Ireland. Willie Mullins, who excels in staying handicaps on the Flat, may be represented by classy dual-purpose campaigners Buildmeupbuttercup, Mt Leinster and Royal Illusion.

Aintree, Kelso and Chelmsford add to a stacked agenda.

Sunday

Sandown and Ffos Las are the venues to watch jumping from the comfort of your own home at the end of a busy week, along with Navan in Ireland.

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