Round two as top stayers Paisley Park and Thyme Hill primed for Long Walk clash

Monday

Despite Ffos Las losing its card to rain, the week starts with plenty of action at four tracks in Britain and Ireland, with the seven-race card at Naas looking the pick of the bunch.

Longhouse Poet was placed in two Grade 1s as a novice hurdler last season and bids to get off the mark over fences in the 2m3f beginners' chase (2.30).

However, he faces a tough opponent in the Willie Mullins-trained Lord Royal, who was travelling sweetly before crashing out two from home on his chase debut at Thurles last month.

Mullins also saddles 2019 Irish Cesarewitch winner Royal Illusion as she makes her hurdle debut in the 2m mares' maiden hurdle (12.55).

In Britain, Richard Johnson makes the long journey north to Ayr for four rides, including the Gordon Elliott-trained Fancy Foundations (12.40).

There is also an afternoon jumps card from Plumpton before Kempton wraps up the action with an evening meeting.

Tuesday

Messire Des Obeaux was a Grade 1-winning novice hurdler four years ago, but has only been seen once since the spring of 2017 when he was fourth at Huntingdon in February.

He makes his chase debut in the 2m4f novice handicap chase (1.05) at Wincanton and bids to reward his connections' faith for keeping him in training.

Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden are top trainer and jockey at the Somerset track this season and they team up with five horses on the card, while Cobden picks up a spare outside ride for Robert Walford aboard Fragrant Delitiep in the 2m4f handicap chase (2.35).

Harry Cobden and Paul Nicholls are Wincanton's leading jockey and trainer this seasonCredit: Steve Davies

Laura Pearson has been in flying form recently with three winners from her last four rides and she has four rides on Newcastle's all-weather card in the afternoon, while fans of the Flat get an added bonus as Wolverhampton stages a nine-race twilight card.

Wednesday

Grand National second Magic Of Light has landed the 2m7½f Listed mares' chase (1.45) at Newbury for the past two years and she bids for a hat-trick.

She may face Sensulano again after beating her comfortably in a Grade 2 hurdle at Ascot in January.

Supreme Novices' Hurdle hero Shishkin fell in the 2m½f novice hurdle (12.40) on this card last year and his connections could bid for revenge in the contest with Lecale's Article.

Like Shishkin, he is owned by Joe and Marie Donnelly, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville.

Stablemate Allart was fifth behind Shiskin at the Cheltenham Festival in March and could make his chase debut in the 2m4f beginners' chase (12.50) at Ludlow, while there is all-weather action on the day at Lingfield, Dundalk and Kempton.

Thursday

Down Royal's December 26 fixture has been rescheduled to this Thursday on account of Covid-19 restrictions.

Down Royal: traditional Boxing Day fixture has been moved to ThursdayCredit: Patrick McCann

The 2m5½f hunter chase (2.55) has been won by some of the top horses in that sphere and Stand Up And Fight bids to regain his crown he won in 2018.

The jumps action in Britain during the afternoon takes place at Hereford and Exeter, while Southwell and Chelmsford host all-weather cards.

Friday

Ascot's two-day meeting gets underway with two top-quality Grade 2 contests. The first, the Kennel Gate Novices' Hurdle (2.30), could feature Dusart, who was impressive on his hurdles debut at Newbury and could bid to give Nicky Henderson his third win in the race in the past four years.

Fiddlerontheroof has endured mixed fortunes over fences and may bid to get back to winning ways in the 2m3f novice chase (3.05), where he could face stern opposition in last season's Betfair Hurdle winner Pic D'Orhy.

Fiddlerontheroof: Grade 1 novice hurdler looking for another success over fences at Ascot on FridayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Uttoxeter hosts seven races while there is top-class action in Ireland at Navan. Southwell stages an all-weather meeting before evening action at Dundalk and Wolverhampton, where Jack Mitchell could ride his 100th winner of the year should he not complete the feat earlier in the week.

Saturday

The Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle (2.25) is shaping up to be an early Christmas cracker, with the stage set for a rematch between former Stayers' Hurdle hero Paisley Park and last month's Long Distance Hurdle winner Thyme Hill.

Main Fact could bid for a tenth win in a row on his first start at the top level, while former Mares' Hurdle winner Roksana may also participate in what should be a deep field packed with quality.

The Silver Cup (3.00) and Betfair Exchange Trophy (3.35) are notoriously tough handicaps to crack and add more high-class action to Ascot's card, while the Tommy Whittle Chase (2.40) is the feature race from Haydock and there's action from Newcastle.

The Listed Quebec Stakes (2.00) is the all-weather feature at Lingfield, while there is a seven-race evening card from Wolverhampton.

Sunday

In Britain, jumps fans are treated to action from two courses at Bangor and Fakenham, while Southwell stages an all-weather card.

Thurles is the sole card from Ireland as racing builds towards the spectacular action on show over the festive period.

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