What's on this week: high-grade action builds up to Ladbrokes Trophy

Monday

There are four meetings in Britain to kick off the week at Ayr, Ludlow, Chelmsford and Kempton, which has the pick of the action with the Listed mares’ hurdle (1.50).

Willie Mullins sends My Sister Sarah from Ireland, with Nico de Boinville booked to ride. Strong opposition comes from the Ian Williams-trained Dragon Bones, who was a length second to Bardenstown Lad at Cheltenham on her last start.

Group 1 winner The Last Lion is in action at Chelmsford (5.30), having returned from stallion duty this month at Lingfield when he beat only one home in Listed company. He drops to handicap level as he bids for a first win since 2016.

Tuesday

In-form Donald McCain may send Brother Pat to Southwell (12.50) in search of a hat-trick having already scored at Plumpton and Sedgefield this season.

William Haggas will attempt to plunder prize-money from Deauville, where Tarroob is pencilled in to contest the Listed Prix Lyphard (3.45). The former Charlie Appleby-trained Nash Nasha, now in the care of Alex Pantall, will provide stiff competition having already scored at Listed level.

There is also action from Sedgefield and Wolverhampton in Britain and Punchestown in Ireland.

Wednesday

Under the Kempton floodlights the Listed Hyde Stakes (6.45) is shaping up to be an intriguing contest with Group winners Stormy Antarctic and Kenzai Warrior holding entries.

At Hereford the Donald McCain-trained Could Be Trouble could return to handicap class (2.40). She was not at her best last time at Bangor in a Listed race but before that she landed three wins from as many starts for McCain.

The rest of Wednesday's racing comes from Wetherby and Dundalk.

Thursday

Thurles hosts the Listed BetVictor Chase (1.05), with several notable entries from the Willie Mullins yard, including dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo, four-time Cheltenham Festival runner-up Melon and Grade 1 winner Tornado Flyer.

Al Boum Photo: dual Gold Cup winner could make his seasonal reappearance at ThurlesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The 7f maiden at Wolverhampton (3.35) has some well-bred horses entered, none more so than Silent Speech for trainer Charlie Appleby. The Godolphin homebred is a half-brother to Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Ultra. Also entered is Macchiavello, a £300,000 breeze-up purchase for owners Amo Racing and Michael Tabor.

Taunton, Lingfield and Chelmsford are also in action.

Friday

The Ladbrokes winter carnival gets under way with the ITV cameras at Newbury for four live races.

The Grade 2 novice chase (1.50) could see a clash between Bravemansgame and Minella Drama.

The Emma Lavelle-trained Paisley Park, winner in 2019 and runner-up last year, is set to go for the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle (3.00). Rebecca Curtis, who has recently returned to form, has entered 2020 Stayers' Hurdle winner Lisnagar Oscar.

Action also comes from Doncaster, Lingfield, Chelmsford and Dundalk.

Saturday

All eyes will be on Newbury for the Ladbrokes Trophy Chase (3.00), the day's highlight. Ireland fields strong contenders in the Willie Mullins-trained Ontheropes and Henry de Bromhead's Eklat De Rire, while the home defence is led by the Colin Tizzard-trained Fiddlerontheroof and Enrilo for Paul Nicholls.

ITV will be live at Newbury for five races, as well as three from Newcastle, where the feature is the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle (3.15). The Nicky Henderson-trained Epatante, last year's winner, could face a strong challenge from Silver Streak, Abacadabras and Metier, all Grade 1 winners.

There is also action at Bangor, Doncaster, Wolverhampton and Fairyhouse.

Sunday

Fairyhouse hosts a bumper card including three Grade 1s, the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (1.05), Drinmore Novice Chase (1.35) and Hatton's Grace Hurdle (2.40).

The action from Britain includes racing from Leicester and Carlisle.

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