Melbourne Cup fever turns to Breeders' Cup brilliance in an international week

Monday

The week kicks off with some competitive jumps cards, not least at Plumpton, where local trainers Gary Moore and Chris Gordon have the leading contenders in the feature 2m4½f handicap hurdle (2.20).

Kempton hosts Listed action on its Flat card, the Floodlit Stakes (4.13), where runaway Royal Ascot winner Candleford looks to get back to winning ways. The venue also hosts the London Middle Distance Series Final (4.45).

Further jump racing comes from Hereford and Wexford, while Galway and Wolverhampton make it a busy start to the week.

Tuesday

Make sure to set your alarms bright and early for the Melbourne Cup (4.00am), where British pair Deauville Legend and Without A Fight head the market. The 2019 winner Vow And Declare is back for more, while the gelded 2020 Derby hero Serpentine is one of the outsiders.

In Britain, Warwick hosts an interesting jumps card headlined by the 2m4f novice chase (2.05), where Skytastic, Stage Star, West Cork and Interne De Sivola all hope to make winning chasing debuts.

Grade 1-winning hurdler Stage Star is set to make his chasing debut at WarwickCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

That is the extent of the jumps programme as Redcar, Southwell and Newcastle's Flat cards are the other meetings.

Wednesday

There is Listed action on the Flat at Nottingham where the likes of El Drama, Majestic Dawn and Cash could run in the Ben Marshall Stakes (2.16).

Musselburgh and Chepstow host the jumps and the latter has a fascinating 2m novice handicap chase (2.52) that could see the return of Solo and No Risk Des Flos.

The day is rounded off by all-weather meetings at Dundalk and Kempton.

Thursday

Newbury hosts its jumps season opener and there is plenty to be excited about, including a 2m½f bumper (4.12) that has produced the likes of Burbank, Tidal Flow, Petrossian and Skytastic in recent years.

Sedgefield, Thurles and Ludlow also host jumps action, while Chelmsford's evening all-weather card is the sole Flat meeting of the day.

Friday

The Breeders' Cup at Keeneland begins with a bang with four Grade 1 races. Many eyes will be on the Juvenile Turf Sprint (7.00) as home favourites The Platinum Queen, Dramatised and Persian Force look set to lock horns.

Grade 1-winning hurdler Thyme Hill could be set for his chasing debutCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

In Britain, Fontwell, Hexham and Exeter all host jumps cards and the 3m novice chase (2.25) at the latter could be an electric contest with Thyme Hill and McFabulous among the entries.

The feature of the day and cornerstone of coverage on ITV4, which broadcasts five races from Exeter, is the Betway Haldon Gold Cup, where 2020 winner Greaneteen is one of ten entered.

The day is concluded by an all-weather card from Newcastle.

Saturday

The second day of the Breeders' Cup promises to be a thriller with nine Grade 1 contests, including the Classic (9.40), where Flightline has the chance to cement a remarkable legacy.

There is British and Irish interest throughout the card, headlined by Highfield Princess, who bids for a fourth straight top-level success in the Turf Sprint (4.29). She will face stern opposition from Golden Pal, however, who is chasing back-to-back wins in the race.

In the Dirt Mile (5.10) Cody's Wish bids for a heartwarming success, while Nashwa and Dreamloper spearhead the European charge in the Filly and Mare Turf (5.50).

Charlie Appleby is also well represented in the Turf (8.40) with Grade 1 winners Nations Pride and Rebel's Romance.

Back in Europe, Wincanton's 61st Badger Beer Chase (1.50), "Rising Stars" Novice Chase (1.15) and Elite Hurdle take centre stage alongside Aintree's Grand Sefton (2.11) card.

Jumps meetings at Kelso and Down Royal, and a Flat card at Doncaster complete the afternoon action, while Chelmsford rounds off a busy Saturday.

Sunday

Sandown is back with its first jumps meeting of the season and the Future Stars Intermediate Chase (2.35) is the feature. Recent winners include Chantry House and Coneygree, so it is certainly a race worth watching.

Ffos Las is the other jumps card, while the November Handicap (3.27) at Naas marks the end of the Irish Flat season when either Colin Keane or Billy Lee will be crowned champion jockey.

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