What's on this week: all eyes on Epsom as the Derby and Oaks take centre stage

Monday

The late May bank holiday typically means a host of meetings and there are no fewer than eight across Britain and Ireland.

The pick of the Flat meetings is at Redcar, which stages the Zetland Gold Cup (4.00). The race has been won by some classy sorts in the past. William Haggas bids to make it two wins in a row in the race and is represented by topweight Faylaq.

There are also Flat meetings in the afternoon at Leicester, Chelmsford and Windsor, where evergreen 12-year-old Pettochside bids for a third victory of the season in the 5f handicap (3.20).

Cartmel stages its traditional bank holiday card and features a decent 2m5f handicap chase (4.10), while there is also jumps action at Huntingdon before Punchestown and Roscommon host evening fixtures.

Tuesday

Racing takes place at Brighton, one of the most unique tracks in Britain, in the afternoon, as well as Redcar – staging the second of its two-day meeting – and Leicester.

The evening action in Britain comes from two cards at Lingfield and Yarmouth. In Ireland, Tipperary hosts an eight-race evening card.

Wednesday

We are treated to some classy midweek action as the Curragh stages a top card, with the Group 3 Ballylogan Stakes (5.30) the feature. It could see the highly progressive Twilight Spinner make the trip across to County Kildare following her easy victory in the Cecil Frail at Haydock in May.

Twilight Spinner: could be seen at the Curragh on WednesdayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The Listed Orby Stakes (6.30) could feature high-class performers Patrick Sarsfeld and lucrative Qatar winner Bowerman, while the Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Handicap (7.05) may unearth a live contender for the Knavesmire showpiece in August.

Wexford stages afternoon jumping while in Britain the afternoon fixtures come from Nottingham, Cartmel and Ayr before evening cards from Kempton and Ripon.

Thursday

It is the calm before the storm but there is still some classy racing on Thursday, with Leopardstown staging two Listed contests on its afternoon card.

The Glencairn Stakes (2.30) could see the Ado McGuinness-trained Salstonstall bid for back-to-back victories, while the Nijinsky Stakes (4.15) may feature some smart three-year-olds, including the well-regarded Wordsworth and Sandhurst from the Aidan O'Brien yard.

Recent course-and-distance winner Illusionist could bid for more Hamilton riches in the feature 6f Class 2 handicap (2.10), while there is afternoon jumps action from Ffos Las and Uttoxeter.

In the evening, Chelmsford and Thirsk host two seven-race cards.

Friday

The first of two brilliant days of action at Epsom kicks off with Cazoo Oaks day, with the second fillies' Classic of the season the feature race at 4.30 on a top-class card.

The highly regarded Santa Barbara heads the market for the Oaks, having finished fourth on just her second career start in the 1,000 Guineas. However, it looks a wide-open event with stablemate Snowfall, Teona, Zeyaadah and Noon Star all single-figure prices in the betting.

Santa Barbara: highly-regarded filly is currently the Cazoo Oaks favouriteCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The well-backed Divinely, Cheshire Oaks winner Dubai Fountain and 1,000 Guineas runner-up Saffron Beach are also set to stake their claims in a red-hot running of the Group 1 over a mile and a half.

The Coral Coronation Cup (3.10) is the other top-level contest on the card and could be the crowning moment for the highly progressive Al Aasy, but he could face the resurgent Japan, Pyledriver and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe second In Swoop.

The Listed Surrey Stakes (5.10), Woodcote Stakes (2.00) and a host of competitive handicaps will also be on offer.

Away from Epsom, there are afternoon fixtures at Market Rasen and Catterick before five evening fixtures in Britain and Ireland at Bath, Goodwood, Doncaster, Down Royal and Tramore.

Saturday

One of the greatest days in the racing calendar is upon us with Derby day at Epsom with the Cazoo-sponsored Classic (4.30) the highlight of the year for many.

All eyes will be on Bolshoi Ballet, who shot to short-price favouritism for the Derby following his impressive win in the Derrinstown Derby Trial last month and looks the pick of Aidan O'Brien's typically strong battalion for the race.

However, he faces formidable opposition from stablemate High Definition, who finished third in the Dante Stakes on his return, as well the regally bred John Leeper.

Victory for the Ed Dunlop-trained colt would provide a poignant tale given he is named after the trainer's late father John.

Bolshoi Ballet: shot to favouritism for the Cazoo Derby following his Leopardstown successCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney, Dante hero Hurricane Lane, Lingfield Derby Trial ace Third Realm and Mohaafeth add quality to this year's Derby. Do not discount the outsiders either, given three of the last four winners were priced at 25-1, 16-1 and 40-1.

Two Group 3s, the Princess Elizabeth Stakes (2.35) and Diomed Stakes (3.10), head the undercard alongside the prestigious Dash (3.45), a race in which Stone Of Folca set the world record over the 5f distance in 2012.

There are afternoon fixtures from Doncaster, Hexham and Musselburgh, hosting its Edinburgh Cup card, before evening meetings at Chepstow and Lingfield. In Ireland, the racing comes from Listowel and Tramore.

Sunday

It is a quieter Sunday in store after the exertions at Epsom, but there are still two good-quality cards from Goodwood and Perth to enjoy in the afternoon. Listowel also stages the second of its three-day fixture alongside a jumps card at Kilbeggan.

Read more:

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The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday