Treasury consultation into 'racing tax' proposals closes before week builds towards mouthwatering King George clash at Ascot

Monday

Arguably the most significant moment of the week comes on the first day with the closing of the Treasury's consultation on the tax treatment of remote gambling. A negative outcome for racing could have a devastating impact on the sport's finances.

On the track, the Ayr Gold Cup trial (3.30) is the feature on the seven-race card, with 19 runners heading to post including the Ed Bethell-trained Wicket Keeper, who bids to complete a hat-trick. Almeraq and last-time-out winner Alpha Magic are other leading contenders for the £30,000 contest.

Cartmel and Beverley also stage afternoon meetings, while evening action takes place at Ballinrobe and Windsor, where a competitive 1m2f fillies' handicap (7.40) headlines the fixture.

Away from the track, confirmations for Saturday’s racing – including the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot – will be revealed at noon.

Tuesday

Last-time-out winner Gran Descans is one of eight declared for the feature 1m3½f novice (2.45) at Lingfield. The Juddmonte-owned three-year-old scored by a neck at Doncaster this month.

Musselburgh stages an afternoon meeting and it will be an emotional evening for broadcaster Derek 'Tommo' Thompson, who calls home the evening fixture at Wolverhampton before hanging up the microphone.

The sole meeting in Ireland comes from Ballinrobe in the form of an eight-race jumps card.

Babouche: set to return to action on WednesdayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Wednesday

Last year's Group 1 Phoenix Stakes winner Babouche could take a drop in class in the Listed Yeomanstown Stud Irish EBF Stakes (6.40) at Naas. Group 2 scorer Sky Majesty could also join the line up for William Haggas.

The 1m4f handicap (4.30) is the standout contest at Catterick and the Charlie Johnston-trained L'Eagle Aid could attempt to land a hat-trick following victories at Newcastle and Chester.

There could be some promising juveniles on show at Salisbury, with Juddmonte's 700,000gns purchase Assiri Heights entered in the 6f novice (2.50). €400,000 buy High Approval could also feature for Wathnan Racing.

Wexford stages an all-chase card, before the day is rounded off by meetings at Doncaster and Leicester.

The Racing League returns at Yarmouth this weekCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Thursday

Aidan O'Brien has won Leopardstown's Group 3 Silver Flash Stakes (6.27) for the past three years with classy names and he should have another strong hand in the race. 

Never Ending Story (2022), Ylang Ylang (2023) and Bedtime Story (2024) all scored and O'Brien could saddle €1.7 million purchase Diamond Necklace alongside Composing, Moments Of Joy and Signora.

The strong card also features the Group 3 Tyros Stakes (6.57) and O'Brien, winner of eight of the past ten runnings, has entered Daytona, Dorset and Flushing Meadows.

The Listed Star Stakes (3.20) headlines Sandown's fixture and six debut winners including Stimulative Trip could be involved. Six-time Group 1 heroine Inspiral won this race on her second start in 2021.

If that was not enough for punters, the Racing League returns for another season with the opening round at Yarmouth.

Fixtures also take place at Newbury, Worcester, Doncaster and Wexford.

Friday

The Listed Pat Eddery Stakes (2.25) takes centre stage at Ascot and could feature Godolphin's debut scorer Pacific Avenue. Two-time winners Tricky Tel, Reciprocated, Italica and A Bit Of Spirit are all entered in what should be another intriguing clash.

There is also Listed action on York's evening card in the form of the British EBF Lyric Fillies' Stakes (7.48). Treasure and Rainbows Edge are both owned by the King and Queen and could feature.

The sole jumps meeting comes from Uttoxeter, while the day also includes racing from Sandown, Thirsk, Cork, Kilbeggan and Chepstow.

Jan Brueghel (right) and Calandagan could clash again in Saturday's King GeorgeCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Saturday

The Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (4.10) at Ascot is the headline act on another busy day of racing.

Aidan O'Brien has not won this race since 2016, but is expected to have a strong team of contenders that includes Coronation Cup winner Jan Brueghel. The four-year-old has won five of his six starts for Ballydoyle, including last year's St Leger at Doncaster.

French raider Calandagan is back for another crack at his rival and comes into the Group 1 contest on the back of a smart Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud triumph last month.

Kalpana, who finished closely behind Whirl in the Pretty Polly, is also expected to feature for Andrew Balding, while global superstar Rebel's Romance – last seen winning the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot – adds even more flavour to the top-level showdown.

Before the main event, the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes (1.40), Group 3 Valiant Stakes (2.20) and International Handicap (3.00), for which Bunbury Cup winner More Thunder is 4-1 ante-post favourite, provide the perfect undercard.

The Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes (2.40) is the feature on the Knavesmire, which also stages the competitive Dash Handicap (2.00) and the Jump Jockeys Nunthorpe Handicap (3.20), all of which will be broadcast on ITV.

The Listed Marble City Stakes (3.25) is Gowran's main event, while fixtures also take place at Chester, Newcastle, Salisbury and Windsor.

Sunday

The week concludes with more Listed action in the form of the Pomfret Stakes (3.30) at Pontefract, while the 3m2f handicap chase (3.42) is the star attraction on Uttoxeter's card. 

Further afield, the Group 1 Bayerisches Zuchtrennen is the headline event in Munich, won in past years by Godolphin stalwarts Nations Pride, Barney Roy and Benbatl. 

Premier meetings

Thursday Yarmouth
Saturday Ascot and York

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