The Flat, O'Brien's stars and the Curragh: things to look forward to this week

It is fair to say the global sporting calendar has been somewhat restricted by coronavirus, but as we all continue our social distancing regimes at home there is still plenty to look forward to this week.

Monday

In unprecedented times such as these any semblance of normality is a welcome distraction, and the beginning of the Irish Flat season at Naas on Monday will provide just that.

A seven-race card is headlined by the Listed Devoy Stakes (4.00), where last year's Derby favourite Sir Dragonet looks to get his four-year-old season off to the best possible start for Aidan O'Brien.

The champion trainer saddles a further five runners on the afternoon including the well-regarded juvenile Lippizaner, a son of 2010 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Uncle Mo, and once-raced three-year-old Knight Of Malta.

Read David Jennings' scene-setting preview for the meeting here, and get Tom Collins' best bet for the meeting here.

Australia's A-League continues behind closed doors with two fixtures, while the Racing Post's Greyhound TV on channel 175 features meetings from Swindon, Sheffield, Yarmouth and Nottingham.

The day's Betting Masterclass comes from James Thomas, who takes Members' Club Ultimate subscribers on a guide to finding winners through pedigrees. (You can sign up to Members' Club here.)

Tuesday

After the Flat's glorious opening, Irish action returns to the jumps with seven races from Clonmel.

Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Jessica Harrington and Henry de Bromhead all look likely to have runners, with the majority of the gaze fixed upon the €17,500 Sun Valley Chase (4.00).

Elsewhere Racing Post readers and subscribers will enjoy a dive into the career of Grand National-winning owner Trevor Hemmings in the Tuesday Profile, and there is a guide to betting on the all-weather from resident RP expert Pietro Innocenzi in Betting Masterclasses.

Wednesday

Seven races on the Tapeta at Dundalk is the highlight on Wednesday when Donnacha O'Brien looks to add a third victory to his fledgling training career with Cabot Hills in the mile maiden (3.30).

Action comes from greyhound tracks at Swindon, Hove and Peterborough, while the highlight of the international action is racing at the unique Happy Valley in Hong Kong.

Happy Valley: the stunning track hosts its usual Wednesday meetingCredit: Edward Whitaker

Racing Post Betting editor Keith Melrose is the man in the Betting Masterclass hotseat as he delivers readers and members his must-have guide to deducing all the clues from trainer form.

Thursday

The eyes of the racing world turn to Cork, where seven races will give fans something to go at through the afternoon. The 3m handicap hurdle (4.00) looks the pick of the action.

Friday

Navan is the Irish meeting in the spotlight on Friday after their fixture was shunted forward from Saturday.

Internationally, there's scheduled US action from Gulfstream in Florida, Tampa Bay Downs and the beautiful Santa Anita in California.

Horses train on Santa Anita's main track against the backdrop of the San Gabriel mountainsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Shelbourne Park, Kilkenny and Newbridge all host greyhound cards, while in the sporting world, Melbourne City FC face Adelaide United in the A League down under.

Keith Melrose's ever-intriguing betting column should be well worth a read as he casts his eye over a rapidly changing sector being forced to improvise on the fly.

Saturday

The Curragh – the home of Irish Flat racing – hosts its first meeting of 2020 with the Irish Lincolnshire (3.55) the biggest prize of the day. This meeting has been moved from Sunday and is set to be broadcast by ITV Racing.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Lancaster House looks sure to be well fancied.

Looking at sport Australia, the Central Coast Mariners face the Newcastle Jets in the A League before Brisbane Roar face off with Sydney FC.

Sunday

Limerick steps up to the plate to keep the Irish racing on the road, while Australia continues to provide the sporting action away from the track, with a meeting between Western United and West Sydney Wanderers in the A League.

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