What's on this week: Arc takes star billing on top-notch weekend of racing

Monday

It's a busy start to the week with six meetings across Britain and Ireland including jumping at Newton Abbot, where Hang In There seeks a four-timer in the Pertemps Network Novices' Chase (2.53) for Emma Lavelle.

More novice chasers will be on show in a 2m Grade 3 (4.10) at Roscommon while there is also turf action on the Flat from Hamilton, Ffos Las and Down Royal and evening racing on the all-weather at Newcastle.

Tuesday

Sedgefield hosts an interesting juvenile hurdle (1.35) which was won last year by subsequent Grade 1 winner Knight Salute, so keep an eye on whoever takes this year's running. More jumping comes from Southwell.

Knight Salute: Aintree Grade 1 winner began his hurdling career on this Sedgefield card last yearCredit: Alan Crowhurst

There is Listed action in Ireland as Cork hosts the Navigation Stakes (3.45), which has been won by three-year-olds for the last four years, while more Flat racing comes from Ayr and Wolverhampton.

Wednesday

It's the inaugural running of the Barney Curley Charity Cup at Bellewstown, where Frankie Dettori and Willie Mullins have picked star-studded teams that will compete for points in two races on the card with a trophy awarded to the winner.

Rachael Blackmore and Jamie Spencer will be among the competitors with points awarded on a sliding scale down to the eighth-played finisher.

Frankie Dettori and Willie Mullins lead teams competing for the inaugural Barney Curley CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Elsewhere, it's Jockey Club Grassroots Series Finals day at Nottingham with five £30,000 handicaps from 6f to 1m6f up for grabs. More Flat action comes from Catterick and there are two all-weather fixtures at Newcastle and Kempton, while Bangor hosts the sole jumps meeting of the day.

Thursday

It's a busy afternoon with five meetings across Britain and Ireland, including a seven-race Flat card at Bellewstown and jumps racing at Clonmel, where Gordon Elliott has claimed the maiden hurdle (3.35) for the last two years.

British interest comes from Warwick, Lingfield and Salisbury, where the Clive Cox-trained Ancestral Land could bid to continue his progress and back up his recent Chepstow win in a 6f conditions contest (3.09). There is plenty to keep you entertained in to the evening with two all-weather meetings at Chelmsford and Wolverhampton.

Friday

There is plenty to get the juices flowing on Friday thanks to an intriguing Ascot card that features the Listed Peroni Nastro Azzurro Noel Murless Stakes (3.45) over 1m6f.

Godolphin's Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood winner Secret State catches the eye among the entrants, along with Marco Botti's St Leger third Giavelloto and Lionel, previously an Irish Derby hope for David Menuisier and now in line to make his debut for John and Thady Gosden.

There are two jumps cards in the afternoon from Fontwell and Hexham and all-weather action at Newcastle in the evening.

There is a pair of Listed contests on the Flat at Dundalk while there are jumps cards at Fontwell, Hexham and Gowran Park and all-weather action at Newcastle in the evening.

Saturday

Saturday is jam-packed with top-notch racing. In Britain, a quality card at Newmarket is headlined by the Group 1 Royal Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes (2.42), which could see last year's winner Saffron Beach back to defend her crown.

Saffron Beach: in action at NewmarketCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Meanwhile in Paris, Arc weekend kicks off with two Group 1s at Longchamp – the 1m6f Prix du Royallieu and the Prix du Cadran over 2m4f, which was won by Trueshan 12 months ago. There are also three Group 2s as France's premier race weekend gets off to a hot start.

There is Group 3 action from Ascot with the Peroni Nastro Azzurro Cumberland Lodge Stakes (2.25) and the John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes (3.00) with Redcar hosting two Listed contests in the shape of the Racing TV EBF Stallions Guisborough Stakes (2.47) and the William Hill Two Year Old Trophy (3.21).

Sunday

It's one of the biggest days of the Flat racing calendar with a star-studded Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (3.05) the main event on what is sure to be a sensational afternoon at Longchamp.

There may be no Baaeed but there are plenty of other standout candidates for Europe's richest and most prestigious Flat race, including favourite Luxembourg – winner of the Irish Champion Stakes last time – and the top-class mare Alpinsta, who has won five Group 1s in a row and has been aimed at this race all year.

Coral-Eclipse winner Vadeni, Derby hero and last year's fourth Adayar and Japanese ace Titleholder add further depth to the €5 million contest, in which German star Torquator Tasso will bid to repeat his shock triumph of 12 months ago.

Aside from the Arc, there are also five other Group 1 contests to look forward to from Paris, while closer to home there are jump meetings at Uttoxeter, Kelso and Stratford and the Group 3 Coolmore US Navy Flag Concorde Stakes at Tipperary.

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