Latest news for all of today's meetings including going reports

Friday's action is a nice appetiser before Saturday's top-class fare. Ascot does most of the work, with the Listed Noel Murless Stakes providing the centrepiece of the day ably supported by a Class 2 sprint handicap and a high-quality classified stakes.

There is more Listed action at Dundalk this evening, while back in Britain Fontwell's card adds to the month-long amuse-bouche for jumps fans that is October with a good-quality handicap chase.

Going report

Ascot - first race 2.00
Good to soft (soft in places on round course)
(GoingStick 6.8 straight course, 6.4 round course on Thursday at 8.30am)

Fontwell - 2.10
Good (GoingStick 6.8 on Friday at 5.45am)

Hexham - 2.25
Soft, heavy in places (GoingStick 5.4 on Friday at 6.15am)

Dundalk - 5.30
Standard (AW)

Chelmsford - 5.45
Standard (AW)

Market movers

3.35 Hexham Beau Bay 15-8f (from 5-2)

3.45 Ascot Zenon 7-1 (from 9)

5.05 Fontwell Scoop The Pot 13-8f (from 2-1f)

What to back

Our experts have their usual array of selections on Friday, while Signposts Sweetspots looks to point you in the right direction.

Paul Kealy is in the chair once more as our headline tipster.

What to read

Peter Thomas looks back on the career of a popular stayer and rags-to-riches tale.

Get the latest on Australian supermare Winx as she gets ready to take on Flemington.

What to watch

Neil Mulholland discusses some of his stable stars ahead of the upcoming jumps season.

The football Postcast looks at the season so far and the international break.

The best of Racing Post Sport

The international break continues, with Wales in action on Friday against Georgia.

Our NFL tipsters also look ahead to week five.

Final thought

There will not be much time allowed for William Buick to ease himself back in after what was a fairly significant injury. With all the championship events to come in Britain and abroad, this is arguably the busiest time of his season.