Chester kicks off key trials week and could we see another Adayar at Lingfield?

Monday

Jump racing comes from Warwick and Kempton, where Paul Nicholls will bid to get on the board for the new season with a host of runners which includes Grade 1 winner Diego Du Charmil (3.55) and Danny Kirwan (2.45), who scored last time out at Ascot.

In Ireland, Down Royal hosts a seven-race jumps card but attention will be drawn to the Curragh for their Flat meeting, which features the Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes (4.05).

Aidan O'Brien has claimed eight of the last ten runnings and fields High Definition, who was runner-up to the reopposing Layfayette in the Alleged Stakes.

Bath, Beverley and Windsor hold Flat meetings to complete a busy day of action.

High Definition: set to return to action at the Curragh on MondayCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Tuesday

Fakenham hosts the Nolfolk National (4.15), featuring the veteran chaser Potters Legend, who was runner-up at the track on his previous two starts.

Although there is jump racing at Ballinrobe, Gordon Elliott is also set to field runners across to Scotland for Ayr's eight-race card.

At Sedgefield, Geromino bids to return to winning ways for champion jockey Brian Hughes against a small field in the novice limited handicap chase (6.50).

Flat racing comes at Wetherby and an all-weather meeting at Lingfield.

Wednesday

Chester's three-day May festival kicks off on Wednesday with the Chester Vase Stakes (3.10). O'Brien has won six of the last eight runnings of the Group 3 contest and runs Changingoftheguard this time, but he faces stiff opposition in the shape of New London – the ante-post second favourite for the Cazoo Derby – for Charlie Appleby and William Buick.

The Listed Cheshire Oaks (2.40) fills out the undercard while more Pattern racing can be found at Gowran, with two Listed contests in their evening meeting which runs alongside an all-weather fixture at Kempton.

Jump racing comes from Newton Abbot, where Celebration Chase fourth Rouge Vif could take on Al Dancer in a competitive handicap chase (1.50), while Kelso and Fontwell fixtures complete the day's action.

Thursday

The second day of Chester's May festival is headlined on the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes (3.10), which last year saw Japan edge out Trueshan and Sonnyboyliston, who both went on to Group 1 success.

Albaflora, who was placed in three Group 1 races last season, leads this year's entries, with trainer Ralph Beckett also fielding an entry for John Porter winner Max Vega.

Albaflora: entered for Chester's May meeting on ThursdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The card also features a handful of competitive handicaps and the Listed Dee Stakes (2.40), with Chelmsford's all-weather evening fixture the only other Flat meeting on offer.

Huntingdon, Worcester and Tipperary complete the day's racing with jumps cards.

Friday

It's Chester Cup day and Falcon Eight bids to land back-to-back runnings of the feature handicap (3.15) which also includes an entry from last year's runner-up The Grand Visir.

The race is set to be a fiercely competitive affair with a full field that may include course-specialist Solent Getaway and 2021 Tolworth winner Metier.

The Group 2 Huxley Stakes (2.40) and the Chester Plate (4.55) round off a brilliant day of racing at Chester, while Ascot stages an interesting £30,000 handicap (4.00) in their afternoon Flat meeting.

More racing comes from Nottingham, Ripon and Wolverhampton, while Ireland's sole meeting of the day comes at Cork and includes the valuable Mallow Handicap (7.00).

There is just one jumps meeting on Friday, with Market Rasen hosting a seven-race card.

Saturday

Ascot is back in action again on Saturday with the Victoria Cup (4.05), worth £100,000 and won last year by the Clive Cox-trained River Nymph.

The Listed Buckhounds Stakes (2.20) also takes place on Saturday's card while over at Haydock the Listed Spring Trophy Stakes (3.35) takes place over seven furlongs.

Haydock's Saturday meeting is a mix between jump and Flat racing and the Spring Trophy Stakes is preceded by the Grade 3 Swinton Handicap Hurdle (3.00), which last year featured Cheltenham Festival runners Camprond and Cormier.

It could be an extremely informative day at Lingfield which hosts its Listed Derby (2.40) and Oaks Trials (3.15). Third Realm triumphed in last year's Derby Trial, but running an eyecatching race in second was Adayar – who went on to win the big one at Epsom. The Group 3 Chartwell Fillies' Stakes (3.50) proceeds those two races, while the Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes (3.25) runs at Naas.

Nottingham and Thirsk round off the Flat meetings for the day and more jump racing can be found at Hexham, Warwick and Cork.

Sunday

Plumpton runs its revised Sussex Champion Chase on Sunday in an eight-race card, with more jump racing also at Ludlow.

Flat racing comes from Hamilton and Leopardstown hosts its Derby Trial day, with the feature Group 3 trial (4.35) won last year by Bolshoi Ballet, who was subsequently sent off favourite for the Cazoo Derby.

Two more Group 3 contests take place at Leopardstown to cap off a stellar week of racing, which is likely to offer up plenty of clues for future top-level races this season.

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