The Flat is back with the Lincoln at Doncaster and $12m Dubai World Cup

Monday

Four jumps meetings in Britain and Ireland to start the week, with some former classy performers clashing in the feature 2m6½f handicap chase at Kelso (4.10).

The admirable Guitar Pete was a Grade 1 winner in his heyday but will seek his first victory in 16 months and has the able assistance of champion jockey Brian Hughes.

Grade 2 winner Mr Whipped was last seen finishing behind Lostintranslation in a Grade 1 at Aintree and makes his first appearance in 717 days for new trainer Brian Ellison, having moved from Nicky Henderson.

At Southwell, Cadzand, who was sent off favourite for last month's Betfair Hurdle, bids to get back to winning ways in the 2m4½f novice hurdle. There is also an afternoon fixture at Plumpton and an all-hurdle card at Navan.

Tuesday

Once again, four jumps cards take centre stage across Britain and Ireland and the 3m novice chase at Wetherby (2.20) brings plenty of intrigue on what looks a competitive card.

The resurgent Messire Des Obeaux has been one of the stories of the season since returning from his mammoth layoff by winning the Grade 2 Dipper Novices' Chase. He faces a classy rival in the Nicky Richards-trained Marown.

Messire Des Obeaux: declared for Wetherby on TuesdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

At Huntingdon, Ajero will seek a four-timer in the 2m handicap hurdle (2.35), while there is also action from Taunton and Clonmel.

Wednesday

Title-leader Brian Hughes is booked for five rides at Haydock, while some useful stayers run in the Tim Molony Handicap Chase (3.12) at the Merseyside track.

There is more jumps action from Hereford and Market Rasen, while Tipperary holds a six-race bumper card for point-to-point horses.

Thursday

The feature race of the day is a 3m Class 2 handicap chase at Ludlow (3.15) where Badger Ales winner El Presente is engaged. He could face the useful Paul Nicholls-trained handicapper Capeland.

Harry Skelton is expected to make the long journey to Sedgefield as he aims to close the gap on Brian Hughes in the jump jockeys' championship, while there are also jumps cards at Chepstow and Cork.

Friday

The racing steps up a notch with Musselburgh hosting the finals of the Northern Lights Series for hurdlers. There are four Class 2 contests on the seven-race card, with the respective finals held for juvenile, two-mile, stayers' and mares' hurdlers.

Musselburgh: hosts a competitive card on FridayCredit: Jon Winter

Newbury's two-day meeting begins with some useful handicap hurdlers likely to be on show in the 3m handicap hurdle (2.05), while former Grade 1-winning hurdler Adrien Du Pont could make his hunter chase debut over 2m7½f in the finale (3.50).

Lingfield hosts an all-weather card in the afternoon before evening action returns at Newcastle and Dundalk.

Saturday

Buckle up Flat fans, this day is for you as the Flat turf season starts at Doncaster, headlined by the ultra-competitive Unibet Lincoln (3.10).

Godolphin's Eastern World has been installed as the 100-30 favourite by the sponsors following his smooth success at Meydan, but he is set to face the classy Brentford Hope, who has had this race as his target since the end of last season.

The Listed Doncaster Mile and Cammidge Trophy complement the ITV action, and the first sighting of this year's crop of juveniles will come in the Brocklesby. There is also Listed action at Kempton in the Magnolia Stakes.

That's not all for Flat fans as the prestigious Dubai World Cup meeting takes place featuring mega prize-money and five Group 1s. The card is headlined by the $12 million World Cup itself and could feature the Bob Baffert-trained Charlatan, who finished second in last month's Saudi Cup.

Meydan stages Dubai World Cup night on Saturday after last year's meeting was cancelled due to Covid-19Credit: Edward Whitaker

In Australia, the rescheduled Golden Slipper card takes place at Rosehill, but British Flat racing fans will be focused on Addeybb, with the Champion Stakes hero defending his crown in the Ranvet Stakes.

The best jumps action in Britain comes from Newbury, which stages the Grade 2 Novices' Mares' Hurdle Final. Kelso, Navan and Wolverhampton complete the action.

Sunday

Doncaster stages the second day of Lincoln meeting, while there is jumps action from Ascot and Carlisle in Britain and Limerick in Ireland.

Naas stages its first Flat meeting of the season, featuring the Group 3 Park Express Stakes.

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