What's on this week: National fences return and Tarnawa heads for Breeders' Cup

Monday

There are four meetings in Britain to kick off the week – at Hereford, Plumpton, Wolverhampton and Kempton, where the Listed Floodlit Stakes takes place as one-time Derby hope John Leeper looks to restart his career (3.05).

Across the Irish Sea, Laytown and racing on the beach makes a welcome return having been postponed last year due to the pandemic.

Tuesday

Grade 1 winner Greaneteen, who took the scalp of Altior last season, makes his seasonal reappearance at Exeter in the Betway Haldon Gold Cup (1.55).

At Redcar, John and Thady Gosden send out the beautifully bred Storm Castle, a son of Invincible Spirit out of Group 1 winner Journey, for his second start (12.05).

There is also action from Lingfield, Newcastle and Fairyhouse.

In Australia, Flemington hosts the race that stops a nation, the Lexus Melbourne Cup. Spanish Mission and Twilight Payment fly the flag for the British and Irish (4am).

Wednesday

The 1m½f maiden (1.10) at Nottingham has a roll of honour that includes Group 1 winners Space Blues and Mishriff. This year's running could feature some promising sorts including a Galileo half-brother to dual Dubai World Cup hero Thunder Snow for Charlie Appleby.

Mishriff: Nottingham winner once upon a timeCredit: Edward Whitaker

The main attraction at Musselburgh is the 3m5f handicap chase (3.20), in which Scottish Grand National fourth The Ferry Master may clash with Do Not Disturb, who is on a four-timer for the in-form Rose Dobbin.

The rest of Wednesday's racing comes from Chepstow, Dundalk and Kempton.

Thursday

Newbury hosts its seasonal curtain-raiser for the jumps with a seven-race card, featuring the 3m Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (2.30). The David Pipe-trained Dell' Arca is once again entered having been successful in the race twice before.

Thurles, Ludlow, Sedgefield and Chelmsford also race.

Friday

It's the opening day of the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar, with the juveniles taking centre stage.

Five races will be shown live on ITV4, including the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (11.10pm). Trainer Dave Loughnane sends recent Group 2 Rockfel winner Hello You in pursuit of a maiden top-flight triumph.

Charlie Appleby: represented at the Breeders' CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Godolphin trainer Appleby won his first Grade 1 when Outstrip landed the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (12.30am). This year he relies on recent Canadian winner Albahr.

Back in Britain, there's a good spread from Hexham, Warwick, Fontwell and Newcastle.

Saturday

Once again all eyes will be on Del Mar and ITV will broadcast seven races live with the main channel showing the 1m4f Breeders' Cup Turf (11.40pm) and the 1m2f Breeders' Cup Classic (12.40am).

Dermot Weld's stable star Tarnawa will attempt to emulate Conduit and High Chaparral in winning back-to-back Breeders' Cup Turfs.

Godolphin look to cap off an extraordinary year with a first victory in the Classic courtesy of the Brad Cox-trained Essential Quality.

Wincanton's meeting is sure to reveal plenty of clues for the season ahead – particularly the Grade 2 Unibet Elite Hurdle (3.35), won a couple of seasons ago by recent Charlie Hall ace Fusil Raffles.

Aintree's famous Grand National fences will be the focal point of a bumper seven-race card and are in use in the 2m5f Betway Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (2.15).

There is also racing to look forward to from Doncaster, Kelso and Chelmsford.

Sunday

The Listed John O'Leary Memorial Future Stars Chase (2.10), is the highlight of the day at Sandown, with jumping also at Ffos Las in Britain.

Navan hosts a strong day's racing with the Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle and the Grade 2 Fortria chase.

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