What's on this week: big names set to do battle in star-studded Betfair Chase

Monday

Five meetings across Britain and Ireland get the week off to a flying start, beginning at Leicester where Isolate will be out to continue his upward trajectory for Alan King when lining up in a novice hurdle (2.00). Plumpton hosts the day's other jumps card.

The all-weather championships are in full swing now and there are two British meetings to feast on from Wolverhampton and Kempton with Dundalk flying the flag in Ireland.

Tuesday

Celebrations will hopefully have calmed down at the yard of Paddy Power Gold Cup winning-trainer Evan Williams by the time he saddles his first runner of the week at Lingfield with Secret Reprieve (2.41).

Someone else celebrating after the weekend was Flat jockey Luke Morris who achieved a landmark feat when he passed 100 winners for the 10th consecutive year, and he looks to add to that with five rides at Southwell.

There is also jump racing at Fakenham and Limerick, and Flat action at Newcastle.

Wednesday

Paul Nicholls endured a rare winless weekend, but that does not detract from the 11-time champion trainer’s spectacular start to the season and he could be busy at Warwick with five potential runners, no doubt under the expert guidance of Harry Cobden.

Harry Cobden: battling with Brian Hughes atop the champion jockey standingsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Cobden's early charge has not been enough to move him above Brian Hughes in the champion jockey standings, though, and the reigning title-holder is set to be in action at Hexham.

There is a third jumps meeting at Ffos Las and more all-weather cards at Kempton and Dundalk.

Thursday

The week begins to pick up pace at Thurles in Ireland where Gordon Elliott is three away from 100 Irish winners for the season. If he hasn’t already reached that tally by Thursday, he will have some excellent chances on an exciting card.

Run Wild Fred is one of a number of promising novice hurdlers entered in the beginners’ chase (12.50) while Presenting Percy features among a classy set of entrants for the 2m6f Listed Chase (1.20), where he could potentially meet the Willie Mullins-trained trio of Allaho, Melon and Kemboy.

Jumps meetings at Market Rasen and Wincanton and all-weather action from Newcastle will be the afternoon action in Britain before an evening card at Chelmsford.

Friday

Nicky Henderson’s top-class novice hurdler Chantry House could tackle tackle fences for the first time at Ascot, possibly against the Paul Nicholls-trained Pic D’Orhy in the 2m3f novice chase (12.20). A packed card also features the competitive Coral Handicap Chase (2.05).

Catterick and Chepstow are the other destinations for jumps aficionados while Flat fans can wait for an evening meeting at Newcastle.

Saturday

A belting weekend is headlined by the first British Grade 1 of the season in what is set to be a star-studded Betfair Chase (3.00) at Haydock. The Colin Tizzard-trained Lostintranslation, who got the better of dual winner Bristol De Mai last year, is the early favourite and the duo will face off again, joined by a host of top rivals.

Cheltenham Gold cup runner-up Santini is set to make seasonal his reappearance, while King George winner Clan Des Obeaux and the Henry de Bromhead-trained Grade 1 winner A Plus Tard add extra shine to the 3m1½f contest.

Santini: Nicky Henderson's star chaser is set for his seasonal reappearance at HaydockCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The Betfair Exchange Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle (2.25) is sure to attract a strong field on the card's other Graded event.

Ascot stages the Grade 2 Chanelle Pharma 1965 Chase (2.05), scene of Cyrname and Altior’s draining battle last year, followed by the Grade 2 Coral Hurdle (2.40) which features Annie Power, Faugheen and Silviniaco Conti among a glittering list of former winners.

For anyone that can’t get enough jumps, there is more to be found at Huntingdon while Lingfield and Wolverhampton host all-weather Flat meetings.

Sunday

A quieter end to the week, but some names to note for the rest of the season could emerge at Exeter which hosts a novice chase, juvenile hurdle and mares’ novice hurdle on its seven-race card.

The 2m7½f Challenger Stayers' Hurdle Series Qualifier is the feature race of the day at Uttoxeter while the BHA’s recent announcement of 14 additional fixtures to the 2020 calendar means there is set to be another all-weather meeting at Wolverhampton.

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