Latest news from today's four meetings and a Christmas mystery

The controversy of small fields running for good prize-money at Ludlow seems to have disappeared like the snow with a bumper turnout at the picturesque Shropshire track today.

Newbury still holds bragging rights though with a Listed novice chase for mares, but racing's conundrum shows up again as the £25,000 feature has just seven runners - but try picking the winner with six of them priced in single figures.

Flat racing fans are not left out with Lingfield followed later by Kempton offering 16 races with top owners and trainers, but the good midwinter mix of apprentices and their seniors in the saddle.

Going report

Lingfield - first race 11.40

Standard

Ludlow - 12.20

Hurdles: soft, good to soft in places
Chase: good to soft, good in places

Newbury - 12.30

Soft

Race distance alterations:
Race 1 & 2: +94 yards
Race 3 & 4: +79 yards
Race 5: +45 yards
Race 6: +67 yards
Race 7: +30 yards

Kempton- 4.10

Standard

Market movers

12.40 Lingfield: Perfection into 11-8 (from 7-4)

2.30 Ludlow: Ballykan into 5-1 (from 6)

What to back

Signpost Sweetspots have found some strong percentage strike-rates for leading combinations today.

The Tips Box is brimming with the best from around the training centres and our experts.

Nick Watts has a tip for Newbury today. Just click on the video below to find the Nicky Henderson runner he fancies...

What to read

Hughie Morrison is fighting for his professional life at the BHA inquiry into the doping of one of his fillies at Wolverhampton.

There have been some interesting betting movesboth for Kempton on December 26 and the Cheltenham Festival.

Racing turned out in force for the funeral of Lambourn and training legend Peter Walwyn. James Burn was there to report.

What to watch

With Tuesday's move that makes Buveur D'Air the new favourite for the Unibet Champion Hurdle, revisit trainer Nicky Henderson's update on the reigning champ ahead of his Kempton Grade 1 assignment next week...

Maddy Playle chairs the discussion about this weekend's glittering Ascot action...

The best of Racing Post Sport

Not quite the minnow against the monster but Bristol City hosting Manchester United in the League Cup quarter-final tonight has the 'marginal' attention of Steve Davies and includes Jose Mourinho's press conference.

Ian Wilkerson has his take on Chelsea v Bournemouth in the other League Cup match.

Final thought

When does Luke Morris do his Christmas shopping? The answer must be Christmas Eve as he has nine rides at today's two all-weather meetings, ten more booked tomorrow and another ten over the following two days. That will take him past 1,500 rides this year.