The Briefing: Toast back home at Lingfield as Verdana Blue switches to Flat
Three horses at rather different stages of their careers take centre stage on a day packed with racing from 11.30am until 8.15pm.
Toast Of New York (1.00), second in the Breeders' Cup Classic in 2014, is back from another US trip and lines up in the 1m2f conditions stakes at Lingfield.
Kim Bailey has several smart novice chasers for this campaign and Red River (2.15), a two-time winner from three starts over hurdles, makes his debut over fences in the 3m novice chase at Ludlow.
Verdana Blue (6.30) landed the Elite Hurdle last month and appears a potential Champion Hurdle contender, but Nicky Henderson's mare is switching codes this evening when she contests the Listed Wild Flower Stakes at Kempton.
There is also international interest, with Ryan Moore, Silvestre de Sousa and Colin Keane among familiar riders contesting the Longines International Jockeys' Championship (from 12.10) at Happy Valley.
Going report
Lingfield (first race 11.30)
Standard
Ludlow (12.10)
Good to soft (Going stick: 6.4)
Haydock (12.20)
Soft (Going stick of 5.7 on Chase and 5.8 Hurdle)
Kempton (3.55)
Standard to slow
Newcastle (5.15)
Standard
Market movers
12.40 Ludlow - Ask Catkin 9-2 (from 13-2)
1.55 Haydock - Darksideoftarnside 6-1 (from 9)
5.00 Kempton - Beleaguerment 4-1 (from 6)
What to back
Expert views, including those of our regional correspondents, can be found in Tips Box.
All the key punting angles are covered in Signposts Sweetspots.
What to read
Altior, Min, Saint Calvados, Sceau Royal and Un De Sceaux are among a top-class ten entries for the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday – read all about it here (£).
Legendary jockey Lester Piggott was rushed into hospital over the weekend but his daughter Maureen Haggas reported on Tuesday that Piggott, 83, was "in good shape".
What to watch
Get to know Tingle Creek contender Saint Calvados in the latest episode of our Cue Cards series . . .
The best of Racing Post Sport
Best bets are delivered for six Premier League matches tonight, including Man Utd v Arsenal and Wolves v Chelsea.
An in-form golfer is fancied to strike in the South African Open.
Final thought
The height and stiffness of the fences at Haydock came under scrutiny on Betfair Chase day and in the aftermath, so it will be interesting to read jockeys' reaction this afternoon when the course stages a seven-race card.
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
Published on 5 December 2018inPreviews
Last updated 10:28, 5 December 2018
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