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

You could be forgiven for thinking the weekend has come early as there are eight meetings in Britain and Ireland on Thursday.

There are moments of quality to match the quantity as Leopardstown stages the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes (7.20) featuring the Aidan O'Brien-trained Johannes Vermeer, who is bidding to make up for lost time after an interrupted career.

Sligo is also among five tracks to host evening fixtures, alongside Sandown, Newcastle and Wolverhampton.

The afternoon action takes place at Haydock, Brighton and Yarmouth and as was the case on Wednesday brace yourselves for a flood as non-runners as the ground will have eased significantly in places from the conditions at Tuesday's declaration stage.

Going report

Haydock - first race 1.50
Good to soft, soft in places (GoingStick 7.4). All races will run over the inner home straight. Allowing for rail position on bends, race distances are: Race 1: 1m2f 70yds; Races 2, 3, 4 & 5: 6f; Race 6: 7f 218yds; Race 7: 1m3f 161yds

Brighton - first race 2.00
Good to firm, firm in places from 5f-2f (GoingStick 9.0)

Yarmouth - first race 2.10
Soft (GoingStick 6.2)

Leopardstown - first race 5.15
Good to firm

Sligo - first race 5.30
Good to yielding

Sandown - first race 5.35
Round course - Soft, heavy in places; Sprint course - Heavy (GoingStick: Round 6.8, Sprint 5.5). Round course railed out by up to 7 yards from 1m to winning post, adding 22 yards to all Round course distances

Newcastle - first race 5.50
Standard

Wolverhampton - first race 6.00
Standard

Market movers

4.10 Yarmouth: Flower Cup into 5-2 (from 7-2)

4.40 Yarmouth: Panova into 3-1 (from 11-2)

Non-runners

Brighton (all going unless specified)
2.00 George Baker (self cert), Doctor Bong
2.30 Wiley Post, Taajub
3.00 Dance To Paris (vets cert)
3.30 Classic Villager, Inke, Colvelly Bay, Sparte Quercus, Foresee
4.00 Golden Wedding, Majestic Moon, Duke Of North, Oeil De Tigre
4.30 Lorelina, Miss Inga Sock
5.00 World Record (self cert), Sheer Intensity (self cert)

Haydock (all going unless specified)
1.50 Polar Forest, Shambra
3.50 Queen In Waiting
4.20 Multicultural, Miss Goldsmith, Conqueress

Sandown (all going unless specified)
6.10 Awsaaf, Still Got It
6.45 Atomic Jack, Global Conqueror, Homerton, Roaring Lion
7.15 Dubawi Prince
7.45 Russian Soul, Mamillius, Braztime, Medicean El Diablo
8.20 Rock Warbler

Yarmouth (all going unless specified)
2.10 By Royal Approval, Insurgence
2.40 De Vegas Kid (not eaten up)
3.10 Voi, Sir Gnet, Glassalt
3.40 Ski Blast
4.10 Still Waiting, Loveatfirstsight, Shelneverwalkalone, Tilsworth Lukey
4.40 Eyes On Asha, High On Love, Vanity Queen
5.10 Gold Club

What's on today

The confirmed line-ups for Saturday's Shergar Cup at Ascot will be revealed and we will bring you all the latest news as the jockeys face the media at an event in London. The rest of Saturday's fields, including at Haydock and Newmarket, will also become clear.

What to back

Pietro Innocenzi leads our tipping team into daily battle with the bookmakers and flags up three selections, while Richard Forristal unearths some gems at Leopardstown. Find the day's naps from the training centres here.

What to read

A fascinating interview with Hayley Turner as she prepares for France this winter and columnist Steve Dennis on why the novice chase alterations make perfect sense. Also, we take a look at the kings and queens who could light up Champions Day following the revealing of the entries for the Ascot extravaganza.

What to watch

Golf fans are in for a treat as we've got all angles covered for the US PGA Championship.

The best of Racing Post Sport

Golf guru Steve Palmer delivers his verdict on the US PGA threeballs and match bets - plus Bruce Millington gives you five punting strategies to enhance the new football season in his column

Final thought

The Grey Gatsby has been disappointing since moving to Dermot Weld but there are sound reasons for giving him another chance in tonight's Ballyroan Stakes. His trainer has hit form in recent days and the two-time Group 1 winner should relish the quicker ground at Leopardstown.

Read The Briefing from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com with all the day's latest going, weather, market moves and non-runner news