An absorbing week of action builds to another Christmas cracker in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot

Monday

Rachael Blackmore returns from injury on Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Slade Steel in the opening beginners' chase (12.30) at Naas. 

The six-year-old was beaten by Martin Pipe winner Better Days Ahead on his chasing debut at Navan last month and this time will have to tackle four from the Willie Mullins stable, headed by Lecky Watson, who will be ridden by Paul Townend, and smart duo Staffordshire Knot and Answer To Kayf.

Other Mullins horses to note on the card include French import Karbau (1.30), Cheltenham Listed winner Baby Kate (2.30) and bumper debutante Kara De Thaix (3.30).

Rachael Blackmore: will be reunited with the Supreme winner Slade Steel over fences on MondayCredit: John Grossick Racing

In Britain, there is a decent 2m novice hurdle (12.40) at Plumpton, which features winners Epic West, Touquet and Andashan.

In-form duo David Pipe and Jack Tudor combine with last-time-out course-and-distance winner Lady Balko in the 3m1½f handicap chase (2.10). The pair struck with Grand Sefton winner King Turgeon at Cheltenham on Friday. 

There is also good jumps action at Southwell, where the handicap chase (12.22) and bumper (12.52) look particularly interesting. A nine-race card at Wolverhampton will satisfy all-weather fans into the evening. 

Away from the track, keep an eye out on the Racing Post website at 6pm and in Tuesday's newspaper for the latest instalment of our 2000-2024 series to find out the sport's top influencers of the last 25 years.

Tuesday

Wise Eagle, an 11-time winner on the Flat, will have his second hurdle start in succession in the 2m3½f novice (2.00) at Catterick after bolting up by 23 lengths at Musselburgh last month.

At Wincanton, the Joe Tizzard-trained American Land will bid for a hat-trick in the 1m7f handicap hurdle (3.15) having won over course and distance last time. There is also Flat racing at Newcastle.

David Ashforth's guest column and professional punter Mark Holder's unmissable new column will be available online and in Wednesday's newspaper. Also, don't miss our weekend focus package.

Wednesday

The £20,000 2m7½f novice handicap chase (1.15) at Newbury ought to take plenty of winning, with Farnoge, Hititi and Kyntara all possible runners.

General Medrano could return to the track in an interesting-looking 2m½f handicap chase (2.25) after a nine-length course-and-distance success last time, while the feature 2m4f handicap chase (3.00) has attracted several in-form types including Densworth and Westerninthepark.

General Medrano: returns to the scene of his impressive last-time-out success at NewburyCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The feature 3m handicap chase (12.50) at Ludlow has all the makings of a competitive affair. Neon Moon, Tightenourbelts, Presentandcounting and Balkardy have all won this season.

Novice hurdlers Railway Bell (12.15) and The Kemble Brewery (1.25) could both bid for hat-tricks at the same meeting. 

Miller Spirit reached a rating of 97 on the Flat and he made a perfect start to his hurdling career at Lingfield last month. He is a name to note and will bid to follow up that success in the 2m novice hurdle (1.02) at the same track.

Big Gossey: could be the headline act on the all-weather at Dundalk on WednesdayCredit: Patrick McCann

There are two valuable series qualifiers at Kempton over a mile (6.40) and over 6f (7.10).

Popular grey Big Gossey could be the headline name in the 7f handicap (5.55) at Dundalk, where there's also a €20,000 juvenile contest (6.55).

It's the biggest record-breakers who take centre stage in our 2000-2024 series available online at 6pm and in Thursday's newspaper, while Ireland editor Richard Forristal returns with his typically punchy column. 

Thursday

The 2m2½f handicap hurdle (2.30) at Exeter will be worth watching if the best entries stand their ground. Lac De Constance, Doddiethegreat and Altobelli all have above-average ability, while Classic Maestro could bid for a hat-trick. 

There's also a host of exciting young hurdlers in the mix for the 2m4f novice event (2.42) at Ffos Las, including point-to-point and course winner Rosscahill as well as Belliano, who was runner-up to the exciting The New Lion at Chepstow. 

The New Lion: top novice's form will be tested on ThursdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Some well-bred types are entered in the bumper (3.50), including Gillespie, a Paul Nicholls-trained brother to The Big Breakaway and Say Goodbye. 

There's also all-weather Flat action at Southwell during the day and at Chelmsford in the evening. 

The final fields for Saturday's races will become clear as declarations are revealed for the Long Walk Hurdle and the other top Ascot prizes.

Also, find out the ten most shocking news stories from 2000-2024 on the website at 6pm and in Friday's newspaper as our end-of-year series concludes.

Friday

There is an excellent pre-weekend treat at Ascot in the shape of the Grade 2 Howden Noel Novices' Chase (3.05), which was won last year by recent Peterborough Chase winner Djelo.

JP McManus could have a strong hand as he has entered both the 143-rated Johnnywho and the Willie Mullins-trained Mirazur West. Personal Ambition, Western Zephyr and Rare Edition are other possible runners, alongside the highly regarded Inthewaterside, who could make his chasing debut. 

Johnnywho (left): promising chaser could bid for Grade 2 honours at Ascot on FridayCredit: GROSSICK RACING

The following Listed bumper (3.40) is also likely to be a hot contest. Won last year by talented mare Let It Rain, smart prospects like Moneygarrow (brother to Minella Crooner), No Drama This End, Fresh Perspective, Tennessee Tango and Doctor Blue could clash this time.

The day's other jumps meeting is from Uttoxeter, while Southwell races on the Flat. There is also action at Wolverhampton and Dundalk.  

At midday confirmations and any supplementary entries are revealed for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on December 26.

Saturday

It's the Long Walk Hurdle (2.25) at Ascot, where racegoers will be treated to some of the best staying hurdlers around. Will any of them put their hat into the ring for the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March? 

Last year the younger legs of Crambo came out on top after a memorable battle with veterans Paisley Park and Dashel Drasher.

There is a stacked undercard, too, with Victtorino hoping to record back-to-back successes in the £100,000 Silver Cup (3.00) for trainer and jockey of the winter so far, Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch. The trainer also has easy Haydock winner Fontaine Collonges entered.

Greatwood winner Burdett Road (centre) is entered in the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Ascot on SaturdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

The concluding £125,000 Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle (3.35) over 1m7½f is not short on class either, with the 1-2-3 from the Greatwood Hurdle, Burdett Road, Be Aware and Dysart Enos, likely to do battle again. Perhaps one of them will emerge as a candidate for Champion Hurdle honours.

There is also Listed action in the shape of a mares' novice hurdle (2.40) at Haydock, and the always competitive Tommy Whittle (2.05). The Irish action comes from Thurles, where there is another Listed mares' novice hurdle.

More jumps action comes from Hereford, while there is Flat racing from Newcastle and Wolverhampton in the evening.

Sunday

It is a quieter day on the racing front, with action at Fakenham over jumps and Lingfield on the Flat.

The annual jockeys' awards, The Lesters 2024, in association with World Pool, will take place in person for the first time since 2018 at Newbury racecourse.

Premier racedays

Saturday Ascot

Read more . . .

Kalypso'chance cut to 7-1 favourite for Champion Bumper after impressive win in Listed race with illustrious roll of honour 

'Any turf track bringing jump racing back has to be a positive' - spirits high as Windsor ends near two-decade hiatus 

Harry Cobden hails 'brilliant' Windsor as Ma Shantou becomes track's first jumps winner in 19 years 

The Racing Post Annual 2025 is out now! This exciting review of the racing year has 208 colour pages packed with the best stories and is beautifully illustrated with stunning images. The perfect gift at £19.99. To order, click here or call 01933 304858.