The end of an era for Winx plus the National theme continues at Ayr

One National has passed and another is very much on the horizon, with the Coral Scottish Grand National taking centre stage at Ayr on Saturday. Find out what is in store this week with our informative guide . . .

Monday

The latest forfeits will be revealed for the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday, for which Dingo Dollar and Big River head the ante-post market, at the five-day confirmations stage.

Another telltale sign that Flat racing is back is the return at Redcar and Windsor in the afternoon with 14 of the 15 races at the two tracks attracting double-figure fields. Plenty of punting puzzles!

Tuesday

Flat form figures of 11111 leap off the page – paper or web – and make Bailarico (4.00) of interest in round one of the Pontefract Stayers’ Championship at the West Yorkshire track.

Admittedly that does not tell the whole tale as the Warren Greatrex-trained six-year-old has since been hurdling, winning on two of his five starts, yet may well be able to continue his progressive profile on the Flat in the 2m2f handicap.

Warren Greatrex: will be hoping Bailarico can strike again on the Flat at PontefractCredit: Edward Whitaker

The talented Twilight Payment (7.40) and Stellar Mass are among entries for the concluding 1m6f contest on the evening card at Gowran Park.

Wednesday

Marie’s Diamond could bid for Group 3 glory in the Prix Djebel at Maisons-Laffitte and Karl Burke is set to be represented with Listed-placed Mistress Of Love in the Prix Imprudence earlier on the card.

The David Menuisier-trained Danceteria and Time For A Toot, trained by Charlie Hills, may feature in the Listed Prix Jacques Laffitte, while the Listed Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes (3.35) at Nottingham is the main event in Britain with Aspetar, Pilaster and Verdana Blue among possible runners.

Entries for high-profile races such as the Investec Oaks, Coronation Cup and Chester Cup will be revealed around midday.

Thursday

Declarations will be confirmed for the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr and Greenham and Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Chelmsford: the Road To Kentucky Derby conditions stakes has attracted some high-quality entriesCredit: Alan Crowhurst

There is an international flavour to proceedings at Chelmsford in the afternoon as the inaugural running of the Road To Kentucky Derby conditions stakes (3.35) has attracted two entries from Aidan O’Brien – Antilles and U S S Michigan – as well as Vintage Stakes scorer Dark Vision and Acomb runner-up Watan.

Friday

Day one of the Scottish National and Greenham meetings to focus on with two quality and competitive cards.

The progressive Ballywood, successful on three of his four starts over fences this season, is a notable entry in the Listed Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase (3.25) at Ayr, while the smart Turgenev and impressive debut scorers Space Blues and Stormwave are entered in the 1m2f conditions race (4.10) at Newbury.

Saturday

It is the end of an era in Australia as superstar mare Winx runs for the last time in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick – our man Lee Mottershead will provide all the reaction from what is sure to be an emotional day.

The afternoon action is vast in quality and quantity with the Scottish National, Greenham, Fred Darling, John Porter, Alleged – potentially featuring St Leger winner Kew Gardens – and Gladness Stakes just some of the Graded and Group contests in Britain and Ireland.

The Prix Sigy should prove informative at Chantilly, in which Signora Cabello, Barbill, True Mason and Vintage Brut are among possible British-trained runners.

Sunday

A quiet Sunday by normal standards with jumps meetings at Stratford and Wincanton and no racing in Ireland but plenty of Group 3 and Listed action at Longchamp.

Leading Poule d’Essai des Poulains hope Persian King could contest the Prix de Fontainebleau, in which Al Biddah Mile winner Global Spectrum is entered for Gay Kelleway, and the Joseph Tuite-trained Surrey Thunder, a recent narrow second at Saint-Cloud, may bid to go one better in the Prix Noailles.

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