Classy midweek action before Grand National clues from Doncaster and Kelso

Monday

An additional treat is in store to soften the Monday blues as Punchestown stages its rearranged card from last week, which features the Grade 3 Quevega Mares Hurdle (1.45).

The race named after the history-making mare has been won by the likes of Annie Power, Limini and Laurina previously and, while this year's race might not unearth a star of their calibre, it remains competitive.

Willie Mullins has farmed this event since its inception in 2014 – winning all bar one – and saddles Cesarewitch heroine Great White Shark, while useful mares Black Tears and Global Equity provide stern opposition.

The afternoon jumps action in Britain comes from Ayr and Plumpton, while there is an evening all-weather card at Wolverhampton.

Monday cards

Tuesday

Another salvaged card in Ireland headlines Tuesday's action, with Gowran Park set to finally stage the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase (3.50), which features some classy sorts.

Bachasson already has Graded victories over hurdles and fences this term in an unbeaten campaign, and will be a warm favourite to add to his haul, but he faces his useful stablemate Annamix and Grade 2 scorer Castlegrace Paddy.

Bachasson: talented horse bids for another Grade 2 victoryCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Catterick and Leicester, where some old favourites are in action in the hunter chase (4.40), stage afternoon cards before a twilight fixture at Newcastle, which is set to feature Who Dares Wins in the 2m½f handicap (4.00).

Tuesday cards

Wednesday

While there is not the similar amount of quality on offer at the start of the week, there is still plenty of competitive racing from Wincanton and an eight-race card from Musselburgh in the afternoon, where former Paddy Power Gold Cup winner and top-class hunter chaser Caid Du Berlais could be in action (3.35).

For Flat fans, there are two all-weather fixtures at Lingfield and Kempton, where the 'Road To The Kentucky Derby' Conditions Stakes (6.20) provides plenty of intrigue. Could we witness a live British contender for the run for the roses?

Wednesday entries

Thursday

Ludlow stages four competitive Class 3 contests where the feature race is the Forbra Gold Cup (2.05) which is named in honour of the 1932 Grand National winner, while there is also afternoon action from Taunton and Clonmel in Ireland.

Trainer Mike Murphy has been in scintillating form in 2021 and is just six winners away from surpassing his career-best annual tally. He could saddle recent course-and-distance winner Owhatanight in the 6f handicap at Southwell (2.50) as well as Young John.

Mike Murphy: has been in fine form since the turn of the new yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

The day concludes with a seven-race card from Chelmsford, where a 7f conditions stakes is the feature.

Thursday entries

Friday

Two-day meetings at both Newbury and Doncaster get under way, and a host of promising novices may clash in the 2m4½f novice hurdle at the former venue (2.25), including Lecale's Article and Flash Collonges.

At the South Yorkshire track, Dobryn could bid to maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles in the 2m½f novice hurdle (2.50) for in-form trainer Sam Thomas, who is operating at a 33 per cent strike-rate.

The all-weather action comes from Lingfield in the afternoon before the usual evening fixtures at Newcastle and Dundalk.

Friday entries

Saturday

With all the Cheltenham Festival trials now wrapped up, it is time for preparations of some Aintree hopefuls to begin in the feature Grimthorpe Handicap Chase (3.30) at Doncaster, which has been won by some classy sorts in the past like Definitly Red.

A competitive handicap chase (2.55) and Listed mares' novice hurdle (2.20) accompany the feature race on Town Moor, while there is a classy card at Newbury featuring the third leg of the veterans' handicap chase series (1.15) and the Greatwood Gold Cup (1.50).

Definitly Red: top-class stayer is a previous winner of the Grimthorpe ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Grand National contenders and top-class prospects could also make the journey up to Kelso, which stages a bumper card in front of the ITV cameras, including the highly competitive Morebattle Handicap Hurdle (2.40) in its new Saturday slot. There is also a jumps card in Ireland at Navan.

Flat fans can also be treated to some classy action at Lingfield, with the Listed Spring Cup (2.00) providing some early season Classic clues before an evening fixture at Southwell.

Sunday

Huntingdon and Sedgefield provide the jumps action in Britain, while some competitive handicaps will be in store at Leopardstown on the first of its two-day meeting.

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