What's on this week: roll on the Punchestown festival and Guineas weekend

Monday

It is a low-key start to the week in Britain, but thankfully Naas has us covered, with a card headlined by the Listed Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital Woodlands Stakes (6.15).

The star attraction is Group 2 winner Gustavus Weston, who will renew rivalry with the likes of Mooneista and Romantic Proposal.

In Britain, there are meetings at Lingfield, Ayr, Southwell, Windsor and Thirsk on a busy start to the week.

Tuesday

The Punchestown festival kicks off with a trio of Grade 1 races, including the William Hill Champion Chase (5.25) featuring a mouthwatering showdown between the Willie Mullins-trained pair Energumene and Chacun Pour Soi.

Champion Chase winner Energumene will face off with Chacun Pour SoiCredit: Mike Hewitt (Getty Images)

It is a day of infighting between the big names at Closutton as Sir Gerhard and Dysart Dynamo lock horns in the Bective Stud Champion Novice Hurdle (4.15), while the Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase (6.35) sees Bob Olinger step up to 3m for the first time.

The feature action on the Flat comes from Nottingham, where the five-runner British EBF Supporting Racing To School Nottinghamshire Oaks (4.05) is poised to feature Technique, Angel Power and Noon Star.

Elsewhere, Yarmouth, Brighton and Ayr fill out the rest of the programme.

Wednesday

Punchestown roars on with three more of Grade 1 races, the feature being a potentially spectacular Grade 1 Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup (5.55). Allaho heads the ante-post market after another dominant victory in the Ryanair Chase, but he faces last year's winner Clan Des Obeaux, 2021 Gold Cup scorer Minella Indo and Aintree winner Fakir D'oudairies in a scintillating prospect.

It is round two for the Willie Mullins duo The Nice Guy and Minella Cocooner in the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle (5.20), but Minella Crooner could spoil the party, arriving fresh after missing that Cheltenham clash. The Punchestown Champion I.N.H Flat Race (6.30) is another box-office race, as Facile Vega and American Mike lock horns once more.

Ascot's first Flat meeting of the season features a trio of Royal Ascot trial races, the Longines Sagaro Stakes (3.35), Merriebelle Stables Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes (4.10) and Paradise Stakes (4.40). Wolverhampton, Pontefract, Brighton and Musselburgh also host Flat action too.

Thursday

The staying division takes centre stage at Punchestown as Klassical Dream bids to retain his Ladbrokes Champion Stayers' Hurdle crown (5.25). It will not be an easy task, however, with Paisley Park making the trip over from Britain and Aintree scorer Sire Du Berlais also being in attendance.

The other Grade 1 is the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase (6.35), which could be the Irish coronation for impressive Maghull Novices' Chase winner Gentleman De Mee.

Gentleman De Mee: out to cement himself as a 2023 Champion Chase contenderCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

In Britain, there is Listed action at Chelmsford, with the Chelmer Fillies' Stakes (6.20) potentially attracting Fearless Angel, Hellomydarlin and Irish challenger Elliptic.

Redcar, Musselburgh, Chepstow and an all-weather meeting at Lingfield are the other offerings.

Friday

Honeysuckle is a general 1-5 ante-post favourite to retain her Punchestown Champion Hurdle crown (5.25), but impressive Aintree winner Epatante will provide a potent threat to the dual Champion Hurdle winner.

The second Grade 1 is the Champion Novice Hurdle (6.00), where Cheltenham Festival winners State Man and Sir Gerhard could feature in another Willie Mullins-trained brawl. The improving Flame Bearer is the sole non-Willie Mullins-trained runner towards the top of the ante-post market.

The Guineas festival also gets away at Newmarket and Breeders' Cup Turf hero Yibir is the star attraction in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes (3.35), with two Listed races further helping to set up a classy day of racing on the Flat. Goodwood also makes its return with the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Daisy Warwick Fillies' Stakes (3.15), while Wolverhampton and Newcastle's all-weather cards round off the Flat action.

Over jumps in Britain, there is Cheltenham's fascinating hunter chase evening.

Saturday

It's Qipco 2,000 Guineas day at Newmarket (3.40), where last year's champion juvenile Native Trail will have his date with destiny. The Aidan O'Brien-trained Luxembourg and Middle Park Stakes winner Perfect Power will give him a mammoth task, however, in what could be a vintage renewal of the race. Elsewhere on the card, there is the Group 3 Betfair Palace House Stakes (3.00) and several competitive handicaps.

Luxembourg: heads the Aidan O'Brien charge at NewmarketCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The final day of the Punchestown festival is headlined by the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle (4.25), which could feature Vauban and Gaelic Warrior. Brazil, winner of the Boodles at the festival, also holds an entry, while the other Grade 1 is the Mares Champion Hurdle (3.50).

Elsewhere on the Flat, Thirsk, Goodwood and Doncaster host action, while there is further jumps racing at Uttoxeter and Hexham.

Sunday

We will not see Inspiral in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas (3.40), which will likely pave the way for an Irish-trained winner. Tenebrism heads the market for Aidan O'Brien, but her stamina is far from assured, and the likes of Discoveries and Homeless Songs are likely to feature in an open renewal of the race.

The Betfair Pretty Polly Stakes (2.25) and Betfair Exchange Dahlia Stakes (3.00) are the supporting cast, while there is also racing from Hamilton and Salisbury on the Flat.

Read this next:

Willie Mullins big guns set for explosive clashes on day one at Punchestown

GET READY FOR THE 2022 FLAT SEASON WITH OUR BRILLIANT STABLE TOUR SERIES

Over 50% off Racing Post Members' Club! Members' Club is the only subscription racing fans and punters need in order to stay informed and make smarter betting decisions. Features include early access to the Racing Post digital newspaper, exclusive news and interviews, premium tips and form study tools to assist with betting. Select 'Get Ultimate monthly' and enter code TRYME to get your first month for just £14.99* – that's better than half price! Subscribe now If you decide that Members' Club is not for you, then you can cancel at anytime by contacting us.

*Members' Club Ultimate monthly first month will be charged at £14.99, renews at full price thereafter