All you need to start your day as Laurina continues festival prep at Punchestown

There's a hefty helping of midweek action on offer today with no less than six meetings to feast upon, and Champion Hurdle contender Laurina is the star name at Punchestown as she bids to make it six victories in a row for Willie Mullins in the Listed Quevega Mares Hurdle (2.40).

Last year's Mares' Novices' Hurdle winner is third-favourite and a general 7-2 shot for the Champion Hurdle behind Buveur D'Air and Apple's Jade, but that could change depending on how the six-year-old performs in only her second run of the season.

There is also afternoon jumps action at Ludlow and Doncaster, while Newcastle provide the excitement on the all-weather before Chelmsford and Wolverhampton take over in the evening.

Going report

Ludlow (first race at: 1.20)
Good, Good to soft in places (GoingStick 6.3)

Punchestown (1.30)
Good to yielding

Newcastle (2.00)
Standard to slow

Doncaster (2.15)
Good, Good to firm in places (Watered) (GoingStick: 5.9 chase, 6.7 hurdle)

Chelmsford (5.15)
Standard

Wolverhampton (5.30)
Standard

What to back

Richard Birch has chosen his best bets from today's six cards. Members can find out who his selections are here.

Our regional tipsters have also given their picks from across the meetings in the daily Tips Box.

What to read

Cyrname has been allotted a BHA rating of 178 – 3lb higher than Altior is rated – after his brilliant victory in the Ascot Chase, and trainer Paul Nicholls is open to a clash with Nicky Henderson's star nine-year-old at the end of the season.

Nicholls celebrated his 3,000th career winner on Tuesday, a number which includes 120 Grade 1 victories and 43 at the Cheltenham Festival.

What to watch

With this year's Cheltenham Festival less than three weeks away, the Postcast team have come together to discuss the Albert Bartlett and Champion Bumper and who they fancy for the Grade 1 contests.

Racing Post Sport's Phil Agius also offers a betting guide to all the main award categories for the 2019 Oscars.

The best of Racing Post Sport

The Champions League last 16 continues tonight with Manchester City travelling to Germany to take on Schalke. Find out Steve Davies's best bet here.

Final thought

If Altior obliges at Cheltenham, then I can think of no better way to bring the curtain down on the jumps season than for Nicky Henderson's superstar to take on Cyrname at Sandown. The way the pair have performed this past year has been breathtaking, and a clash between them has the potential to be a race for the ages.

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app