All you need to start your day as Newbury stages potentially informative card

Whoever wins at Newbury today have some tough acts to follow. Turn the clock back 12 months and Fred Winter runner-up Style De Garde, recent Ladbrokes Trophy third Dingo Dollar, Ms Parfois and Grade 2 winner Mr Whipped were all victorious on this very card as they continued their progress up the jumping ladder.

If the card at Newbury, which features the Listed Thoroughbred Breeders Association Mares' Chase (2.15), is likely to prove informative, then it is only fair the other jumps meeting of the day at Ludlow also gets its fair share of the pre-Christmas limelight.

The Shropshire course comes out on top in prize-money terms at least, with £100,000 on offer. Part of that excellent contribution is the £26,000 Tanners Wines Handicap Chase (1.25), with Bigmartre, Theflyingportrait and Sternrubin among a field of 11.

Lingfield gets the day's racing fare off and running on the all-weather, while Newcastle and Dundalk prolong the action late into the evening.

Going report

Lingfield (first race 11.40)
Standard

Ludlow (12.20)
Soft, good to soft in places

Newbury (12.30)
Hurdle course: soft, good to soft in places, Chase course: good to soft, soft in place

Newcastle (3.20)
Standard

Dundalk (4.25)
Standard

Market movers

11.40 Lingfield Cape Greco 16-1 (from 20)
12.10 Lingfield Dove Divine 5-1 (from 13-2)

What to back

Pietro Innocenzi is our lead tipster for the day and he has found three selections, which you can view here.

Alternatively, if you wish to see the best bets from our regional experts, they can be found in the daily Tips Box.

What to read

There is a lot of doom and gloom around at the moment, so why not read something to lift the spirits? Pat Smullen had provided a positive update about his recovery.

Following The New One's retirement at Cheltenham on Saturday, his groom Wayne Jones has paid tribute to the hurdling star.

What to watch

Andrew Dietz caught up with Ruth Jefferson to discuss stable star Waiting Patiently ahead of his King George bid on Boxing Day.

David Jennings and Gavin Lynch are also back for week five of Upping The Ante.

The best of Racing Post Sport

Arsenal already have one win over bitter North London rivals Tottenham this month and Joe Champion has previewed the next chapter between the two sides, the EFL Cup quarter-final this evening.

Following Jose Mourinho's sacking at Manchester United yesterday, the candidates to replace the Portuguese manager have been assessed here.

Final thought

With prize-money towards the forefront of racing news this week, Ludlow must once again be applauded for putting on a £100,000 card midweek.

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