All you need to start your day including going from all the tracks

A regional 'National' is about as close to the antithesis of the Breeders' Cup as one is likely to find, so it is fitting Sedgefield's Durham National takes place today.

That race gives Sedgefield the edge on the day, although strictly on grade of race Lingfield's two Listed contests, one of which acts as a fast-track qualifier for Good Friday, would be stronger.

Many will have adjusted to the jumps by now, though, so Sedgefield, Stratford and Clonmel are likely to draw the attention in the afternoon. Those all-weather fans have eight races at Chelmsford in the evening, which includes a good staying handicap.

Going report

Lingfield first race 12.15
Standard

Clonmel 12.50
Yielding to soft

Sedgefield 1.00
Good

Stratford 1.40
Good

Race distances:
Race 1: +174 yards
Race 2: +162 yards
Race 3: +18 yards
Race 4: +46 yards
Race 5 & 6: +42 yards

Chelmsford - 5.25
Standard

Market movers

2.45 Stratford: The Geegeez Geegee into 4-1 (from 5)

2.55 Lingfield: Miss Blondell into 8-1 (from 10)

7.55 Chelmsford: Logi into 8-1 (from 10)

What to back

It only takes Nick Watts ten seconds to give you his best bet of the day, which runs at Sedgefield...

What to read

Royal Ascot winning jockey George Chaloner announced his retirement in an emotionally charged interview yesterday. We all wish him well in the future.

Tom Kerr is also out and about at Del Mar, talking to the big names. William Buick is confident Ribchester can go out on a high.

What to watch

David Jennings caught up with Nakeeta's trainer Iain Jardine with the Melbourne Cup now less than a week away...

The best of Racing Post Sport

In the Thursday column, Bruce Millington reports from a pleasant experience at one of Galway's student racedays on Monday.

There is also Europa League action in the evening, with Arsenal among those involved against Red Star.

Final thought

With Del Mar and Melbourne to fit in before next weekend, what is left of the British turf season gets very much drowned out. Notwithstanding the logistics and consideration for 'autumn horses,' it feels like the season would end most naturally with the Racing Post Trophy meeting.