Tingle Creek cracker on cards before return of Honeysuckle in Hatton's Grace

Monday

With the exception of Wolverhampton's Saturday evening card, which was restricted to riders who rode fewer than 30 winners in 2021, there had been an absence of all-weather racing in Britain for just over a week as the season took a short break.

However, Monday's action majors on the all-weather with an afternoon card at Kempton headlined by the Listed Hyde Stakes (5.15). It only features five runners but they include three last-time-out winners and Cash, last seen finishing second to subsequent Irish Derby winner Westover at Sandown.

There is also afternoon jumping from Catterick and evening all-weather racing at Wolverhampton.

Cash (left) makes his return on Monday. He was last seen finishing behind Westover in AprilCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Tuesday

A busy day with five meetings across Britain and Ireland.

The peak of the action is probably at Punchestown, where seven runners go to post in the William Hill Epic Value Hurdle (1.55). There are runners from the powerhouse yards of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, but Chester Cup winner Falcon Eight is the class act.

Its an early start on the all-weather at Lingfield – the first race goes off at 11.40 – with further fixtures at Wolverhampton (Flat), Ayr and Southwell (both jumps).

Wednesday

Another day, another five meetings and another prominent role for all-weather fixtures. Lingfield's afternoon card is supplemented by evening meetings at Dundalk and Kempton. The last named has Listed action in the Unibet Wild Flower Stakes (7.50) and Godolphin could be well represented by Siskany and Wild Crusade. Berkshire Rocco, a neck second in the 2020 St Leger, could also be involved.

Henry Daly has had eight winners in November and he could have up to six runners at Ludlow on Wednesday.

The other jumps meeting at Haydock could be full of quality. Familiar names like Blaklion and Cheltenham Festival winners Chambard and Coo Star Sivola are among the entries in the veterans' chase qualifier (3.07), while Albert Bartlett fourth Ballygrifincottage could make his debut over fences earlier on the card (2.07).

Blaklion: popular veteran could be in action on WednesdayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Thursday

December begins with action from Wincanton, Leicester, Market Rasen, Thurles and Chelmsford, although plenty of attention off course will be on Saturday's declarations and particularly the Tingle Creek.

The highlight over jumps is the Listed Equuip Foal To RACE Transition Year Programme Chase in Ireland (1.32). Mullins and Elliott dominate the entries with nine of the 14 contenders between them, but the Gavin Cromwell-trained Vanillier and Darasso, from the Joseph O'Brien stable, add further depth to the contest.

Friday

The Ballymore Winter Novices' Hurdle (2.20) is the day's standout event at Sandown, a Grade 2 over two and a half miles. Paul Nicholls has Henri The Second and Knowsley Road entered, while Maximilian, Man At Work and Chianti Classico could all be involved.

Newbury non-runner Gelino Bello could be in action at Exeter and there are also meetings at Sedgefield, Newcastle and Dundalk.

Saturday

The Betfair Tingle Creek Chase (2.55) is a real winter highlight and it promises to be a thriller again if all the main protagonists turn up.

Greaneteen posted a career-best performance on Racing Post Ratings last time and has won three Grade 1s at Sandown, but Shishkin would be a mighty test if he turns up. Last season's Arkle winner Edwardstone would add even more spice to the race.

The Sandown card also features the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices' Chase (1.45).

Up at Aintree, the BoyleSports Becher Handicap Chase (2.05) takes centre stage over the National fences, while the Many Clouds Chase (1.30) is an excellent undercard act.

There will also be racing at Fairyhouse, Chepstow, Wetherby and Wolverhampton.

Honeysuckle: set to bid for a fourth Hatton's Grace HurdleCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Sunday

The Grade 2 Peterborough Chase is the headline act in Britain but most of the focus will be on events in Ireland at Fairyhouse's winter festival.

The second day of the meeting features three Grade 1s – the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (1.25), the Drinmore Novice Steeplechase (1.55) and the Hatton's Grace Hurdle (2.30).

Dual Champion Hurdle winner Honeysuckle is set to make her return in the Hatton's Grace when she bids for a record fourth win in the race.

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