News about today's six meetings including a Gold Cup at Ludlow

Six meetings spanning five minutes short of seven hours should speed the day through as the countdown to Cheltenham continues.

There are no Graded races but Ludlow features the interesting Forbra Gold Cup, where the Paul Nicholls-trained Tommy Silver is the favourite. The big question of the day is in the race title of the first contest (1.50) - the Will You Marry Me Sean Tinkler Novices' Hurdle.

Musselburgh executives must wonder what the course has to do to get decent fields as its biggest turnout is seven and there are just two 'southern' runners at the meeting with John Ryan and Olly Murphy providing half the field for the bumper with a runner apiece.

Clonmel has a feast of runners in comparison with its British counterparts. Taunton also stage a seven-race card. Newcastle and Kempton provide the all-weather action on the Flat.

Going report

Musselburgh (first race at 1.35)
Good (GoingStick 7.0)
Distances: 1.35 & 4.30 +31yds, 2.10 & 3.55 +14yds, 2.45 +7yds and 3.20 +68yds

Clonmel (1.45)
Good, good to yielding in places

Ludlow (1.50)
Good (GoingStick 6.7)

Taunton (2.00)
Good (GoingStick: 6.5)

Newcastle (AW) (4.05)
Standard to slow

Kempton (4.50)
Standard to slow

Market movers

4.20 Taunton - Here's Herbie 12-1 (from 16)
5.20 Kempton - Shovel It On 10-1 (from 16)
5.55 Kempton - The Eagle's Nest 7-1 (from 16)

What to back

Our men in the training centres and our ratings experts give their top bets in the Tips Box. Three more statistical pointers can be found in Signposts Sweetspots.

Click below for another Cheltenham festival banker from the Racing Post stable.

What to read

Battle lines have been drawn in the ongoing prize-money row with a Classic-winning trainer's call to arms to boycott three Arc meetings next week.

There's news of another shock absentee and former winner at the Cheltenham Festival this year.

What to watch

Whichever your side is in the prize-money row, here is a racecourse's view on the issue.

There was the unveiling of the weights for the handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival and Racing Post TV caught up with Jonjo O'Neill.

The best of Racing Post Sport

Golf guru Steve Palmer is everywhere with tips for the first-round and outright winners in the Honda Classic as well as a 55-1 top tip for the Oman Open.

Steve Davies asks if the Price is right as he previews tonight's actionin the Premier League darts.

Final thought

Prize-money levels continue to exercise horsemen but anyone looking in from outside the sport would be perplexed by not only Musselburgh's fields but also Ludlow's richly-endowed card having four races failing to fill for full each-way betting, including the two biggest prizes.

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