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What's on this week

Ombudsman and Sosie among brilliant line-up expected for Coral-Eclipse as fascinating Group 1 headlines big week

Ombudsman storms to success in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes
Ombudsman: leading Eclipse contender for the GosdensCredit: Edward Whitaker

Monday

The temperatures in Britain continue to rise and the action on course heats up as the £40,000 fillies’ mile novice (3.00) headlines a seven-race card at Pontefract.

The consistent Charlie Johnston-trained Blessed Star is one of six runners in the race, while Magical Idea is one of two runners alongside Wujjood for William Haggas.

The main event at Windsor’s evening fixture comes in the form of the £40,000 mile maiden (6.45). Cameron Highlander is one of 11 declared and is Oliver Cole’s first runner since his father and joint-trainer, Paul, announced his retirement with immediate effect last week.

The day also features meetings at Ffos Las and Wolverhampton.

Away from the track, confirmations for Sandown’s Group 1 Coral-Eclipse will be revealed at noon.

Tuesday

The Listed Queen Charlotte Fillies' Stakes (8.00) is a valuable pot on Chelmsford’s card. The field includes the Roger Varian-trained Jabaara, who is a three-time winner at this level, and Miss Information, who won the Kensington Palace at Royal Ascot last time.

In Ireland, the Listed Lenebane Stakes at Roscommon (7.38). Grade 1 winner Hello Neighbour, who was last seen finishing third behind Lulamba at the Punchestown festival, is the star attraction in the 13-runner field.

Hello Neighbour: heads to Roscommon on Tuesday
Hello Neighbour: heads to Roscommon on TuesdayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Tipperary provides the other fixture in Ireland, while Musselburgh, Brighton and Stratford also stage meetings in Britain.

Wednesday

Aidan O’Brien could be double handed in the feature Listed Tipperary Stakes (6.10) as he bids for a first victory in the race since 2018. First Approach, who finished 19th of 23 in the Windsor Castle at the royal meeting, and Kansas could take their chance.

Four course-and-distance winners could clash in the feature 6f handicap (4.38) at Thirsk, with Secret Guest, Tinto, Kats Bob and Huscal all in contention to run. 

There are further Flat meetings from Epsom and Chepstow, and a jumps fixture at Worcester, where Nicky Henderson could saddle his first runner since June 14 with De Tellers Fortune in the 2m7f handicap chase (2.45).

Thursday

Willie Mullins has won Tipperary’s Grade 3 Grimes Hurdle (6.10) five times since 2015 and could send out four runners this year. Last year’s winner Winter Fog, Gaucher, Daddy Long Legs, Batman Girac are among the entries for the feature. 

Puturhandstogether (left): is entered at Tipperary for Joseph O'Brien
Puturhandstogether (left): is entered at Tipperary for Joseph O'BrienCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The strength of the race could be boosted if Fred Winter winner Puturhandstogether takes his chance for Joseph O’Brien.

Key Of Magic fetched $950,000 as a yearling at Keeneland and could make his debut for Charlie Appleby in the 7f novice at Haydock (4.40). The Justify colt also holds an entry for Sandown on Friday.

Perth stages a jumps meeting, while there is also action from Yarmouth before evening racing at Bellewstown, Kempton and Newbury.

Away from the track, four-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy will appear at Reading Magistrates' Court after being charged this month with drink driving and failing to take a roadside test after a car crash near Newbury in April.

Friday

The pick of the racing comes from Sandown, with three Listed races adding the juice to an already strong card.

Two-time winner Military Code could feature in the Dragon Stakes (3.00) alongside the unbeaten sprinters India Love and Lebron Power.

Ancient Wisdom could step back into Listed company in the Gala Stakes (4.10). Fifth behind Jan Brueghel in the Coronation Cup, he has not raced in these calmer waters since finishing behind Rosallion as a juvenile at Ascot in 2023. 

The Listed Esher Stakes (4.45) welcomes some strong stayers, with top-class stars Coltrane and Trueshan possible runners.

There is British interest on the other side of the Atlantic as Kieran Shoemark and Oisin Murphy head to Saratoga for the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (10.45). The former rides the Charlie Fellowes-trained Luther, while Murphy returns to the saddle of New Century.

Elsewhere, Doncaster offers seven races on its card and a six-race fixture takes place at Newton Abbot, while the day concludes with jumps racing from Bangor and action on the Flat from Haydock and Beverley.

In Ireland, both Bellewstown and Wexford stage meetings.

Saturday

Impressive Prince of Wales’s winner Ombudsman could take his chance in the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse (3.35) on Sandown’s red-hot card. 

Aidan O’Brien has landed the feature at the Esher venue in three of the last four years, including with Paddington and City Of Troy, and could run the likes of top-class performers Camille Pissarro and Delacroix, while Andre Fabre intends to run Sosie, who has a 2-2 record in Group 1s this season.

Almaqam and Ombudsman could renew their rivalry at Sandown on Saturday
Almaqam and Ombudsman could renew their rivalry at Sandown on SaturdayCredit: Getty Images

Almaqam and Anmaat are among possible runners at this stage.

The Premier raceday is supported by the Group 3 Coral Charge (1.50) and the Listed Coral Distaff (3.00) on a day that usually unearths strong performances.

In the north, Haydock’s card is also stacked with promise as the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks (2.40) and Old Newton Cup (3.15) provide the afternoon entertainment.

Beverley’s seven-race fixture includes the Listed Charlie Wood Stakes for the first time. Previously run at Newmarket as the Fred Archer Stakes, the race has been won by Charlie Appleby in each of the last three years, with Rebel’s Romance striking top spot in 2022.

The Listed Pat Smullen Stakes headlines the action at Naas, while Bellewstown hosts its third consecutive raceday.

Carlisle stages its all-female raceday, while Nottingham and Leicester both offer evening action for punters to enjoy.

Sunday

The Summer Mile (3.30) headlines the action at Ayr, while Market Rasen stages a seven-race jumps card.

Premier racedays

Saturday Haydock and Sandown


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Lambourn correspondent

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