What's on this week: buckle up and enjoy Punchestown and Guineas weekend

Monday

It is a relatively quiet start to the week in Britain, but there are still five meetings to get stuck into with Southwell, Newcastle and Wolverhampton keeping punters occupied before evening racing at Windsor and Thirsk.

The race of the day comes in Ireland, with the Listed Woodlands Stakes (6.20) the feature at Naas. Michael Dods sends over dual Listed winner Intense Romance to take on Ardhoomey, Medicine Jack and Primo Uomo.

Intense Romance (near side) runs at NaasCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Tuesday

The jumps season may have finished in Britain, but it is far from over in Ireland as the Punchestown festival gets under way with three Grade 1s up for grabs on the opening day.

Willie Mullins fields four in the Champion Novice Hurdle (4.20), including Supreme winner Klassical Dream, while Nicky Henderson is represented by Cheltenham Festival absentee Champagne Platinum, and Gordon Elliott runs Aintree winner Felix Desjy.

A Plus Tard: tries three miles for the first time at PunchestownCredit: Mark Cranham

Runaway Melling Chase winner Min aims to deny stablemate Un De Sceaux a repeat in an exciting renewal of the BoyleSports Champion Chase (5.30), while A Plus Tard steps up to just over three miles to take on RSA Chase third Delta Work in the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (6.40).

Wednesday

The second day of the festival sees Albert Bartlett winner Minella Indo bid for back-to-back Grade 1s in the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle (5.30).

Then the mighty clash is on in the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup (6.05), in which the Mullins-trained trio of Al Boum Photo, Kemboy and Bellshill are all due to line up.

Wesley Ward: runs Lady Pauline at AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

In Britain, Ascot hosts two Group 3s – the Sagaro Stakes (3.25) and Pavilion Stakes (3.55) – as well as the Listed Paradise Stakes (4.25) as part of the Royal Ascot Trials Day card. Wesley Ward has flown over Lady Aurelia's half-sister Lady Pauline to run against the boys in the opening conditions stakes (2.15).

Thursday

Apple's Jade could aim to end her season on a high in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (5.30) on day three of the Punchestown festival, and she could face any number of challengers from the Mullins yard, including Bapaume, Laurina, Melon, Footpad and Benie Des Dieux.

How good could he be? Chacun Pour Soi will take flight against Duc Des Genievres and Defi Du Seuil at PunchestownCredit: Alain Barr

Cheltenham winners Duc Des Genievres and Defi Du Seuil take each other on in the Ryanair Novice Chase (6.40), where they could face fresh opposition in the shape of exciting seven-year-old Chacun Pour Soi.

Chelmsford stages the Listed Chelmer Fillies' Stakes (7.25) over six furlongs in the evening.

Friday

Dual Champion Hurdle hero Buveur D'Air will be hoping to make his first visit to Ireland a winning one in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle (5.30), where he could face his Aintree Hurdle conqueror Supasundae as well as Sharjah.

Ballymore winner City Island will bid to extend his winning streak in the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle (6.05) over 2m4f, with the Colin Tizzard-trained Reserve Tank among the likely opposition.

City Island: will face Reserve TankCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Saturday

It is a case of switching one code for another on Saturday as the first Classic of the season is run in Britain. Aidan O'Brien will be bidding to record a remarkable tenth win in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket (3.35) and dominates the market with Ten Sovereigns and Magna Grecia.

The card also features the Group 3 Palace House Stakes for the sprinters, while the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes could see some of this season's brightest middle-distance prospects begin their campaigns.

Ten Sovereigns: favourite for the 2,000 GuineasCredit: Patrick McCann

It is also Punchestown's final day in the spotlight and impressive Adonis winner Fusil Raffles will be hoping to make up for lost time in the AES Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (4.25), while Benie Des Dieux will be looking to put her Cheltenham fall behind her in the Mares Champion Hurdle (3.50).

If that is not enough, two Listed races are the highlight of Goodwood's card, while jumps fans wanting to go racing in Britain can choose between Uttoxeter and Hexham.

Sunday

Qabala: returns to Newmarket for the 1,000 GuineasCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

It is the turn of the fillies at Newmarket on Sunday as Qabala aims to build on her promising return to action in the Nell Gwyn in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas (3.35).

The Dahlia Stakes (2.20) also takes place on the Rowley Mile, which could feature the return of last year's Classic winner Billesdon Brook.

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