What's on this week: a day on the beach, City Of Troy's crucial Southwell gallop and the Ayr Gold Cup

Monday

It is a special day in Ireland as the annual Laytown fixture returns for another year.

Dating back to 1868 and situated on the shore in County Meath, the six-race meeting takes place just once every September and is the only beach-racing event held under rules in Ireland or Britain. Gordon Elliott, Gavin Cromwell and Joseph O’Brien are among the trainers with runners this year.

Laytown: a must for the bucket listCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

In Britain, Dan Skelton is operating at a red-hot 29 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight and has five runners on the day’s sole jumps card at Worcester. In the feature 2m4f handicap chase (2.25), four-time winner Frere d'Armes makes his first start since June in a six-runner contest.

Thirsk and Windsor host the afternoon action on the Flat, while Kempton's all-weather meeting brings the day to a close.

The Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury and Ayr's Gold Cup headline Saturday's racing and confirmations for the two big sprint contests will be revealed.

Tuesday

There is significant interest at Newcastle's all-weather evening meeting as Coolmore are represented by Pageant in the 6f novice (6.30). The daughter of Wootton Bassett is set to make her debut for James Fanshawe. In the 6f novice (7.30), Trident, a three-year-old son of No Nay Never, runs for Roger Varian and the powerful operation.

Earlier in the day, the 6f fillies' handicap (4.35) at Yarmouth has attracted a number of leading trainers and the consistent Rosy Affair, who has won three and finished second on her other four occasions, holds leading claims for George Boughey.

The rest of the afternoon racing comes from Redcar, Brighton and Punchestown.

Wednesday

Punters are presented with a double serving of midweek treats in the form of the Listed Fortune Stakes (3.23) at Sandown and the Listed John Musker Fillies' Stakes (3.30) at Yarmouth.

At the Esher venue, Group 2 winner Poker Face, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Nostrum and Botanical, who recently moved from Roger Varian to George Boughey, could feature in the mile contest.

Nostrum: could feature for Sir Michael StouteCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

There could be royal interest seven minutes later as Rainbows Edge and Treasure both hold entries in the second Listed race, while debutante scorer Estrange and Al Anoud may also be involved.

Elsewhere, there is a Flat meeting from Beverley and jumps fixtures from Kelso and Tramore.

Thursday

Aidan O'Brien is set to unleash an expensive juvenile in Dramatic, who lines up in the opening 6f fillies' maiden (2.25) at Naas. The daughter of Medaglia d'Oro was bought for $1.5million at the foals and mares sales at Keeneland in November 2022.

Aidan O'Brien: could unleash a new star at NaasCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The pick of the action in Britain comes from Ayr as five course-and-distance winners, including Chichester and Euchen Glen could clash in the feature 1m2f handicap (3.42).

Pontefract and Yarmouth stage Flat meetings, before the day draws to a close with an all-weather card at Chelmsford.

Elsewhere, declarations for Saturday's action, including the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes, will be confirmed at 10am.

Friday

Plenty of eyes will be on events at Southwell. There is no official raceday, but spectators will be present as Aidan O'Brien ups City Of Troy's preparation for the Breeders' Cup Classic.

He is set to gallop over a mile with speedy stablemates, and a hell-for-leather gallop and American stalls are all part of the plan to prepare him for the hectic conditions expected at Del Mar.

The Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup Stakes (4.05) takes centre stage at Newbury and Royal Ascot hero English Oak is in line to feature for Ed Walker. Group 2 winner and Commonwealth Cup second Lake Forest, could be among his opposition.

English Oak: could feature at Newbury on Friday for local trainer Ed WalkerCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

The Listed Harry Rosebery Stakes (3.05) and Listed Arran Scottish Sprint EBF Fillies' Stakes (3.40) provide the best action at Ayr, with Alfa Kellenic looking to complete a remarkable six-timer for trainer Craig Lidster.

There could be four last-time-out winners in the feature 2m5f novice chase (3.15) at Newton Abbot, including hat-trick chasing Lallygag for Paul Nicholls.

The day’s action is rounded off from Kempton and Dundalk, while from 6pm Racing Post readers will be able to access bumper tipping and preview packages ahead of another action-packed Saturday.

Saturday

The first of two Premier meetings is at Newbury, where the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes (3.15) headlines a strong card at the Berkshire track. Gimcrack Stakes scorer Cool Hoof Luke and the Aidan O’Brien-trained Ides Of March could feature in the big sprint.

Earlier on the card, Grade 1 winner Not So Sleepy could race for the final time in the Autumn Cup (2.05), a contest he won 12 months ago.

Not So Sleepy: the veteran dual superstar could bid farewell after Newbury this weekendCredit: Alan Crowhurst (racingpost.com/photos)

At Ayr, the Gold Cup (3.35) is the main attraction of the day and Portland Handicap fourth Albasheer is the ante-post favourite, with Billyjoh, Mostabshir and Doncaster winner American Affair also prominent in the betting at this stage.

The Silver Cup (2.25) and Listed Doonside Cup Stakes (1.50) serve as the undercard to the main event.

At Newmarket, clues for the ultra competitive Cesarewitch Handicap will be on offer as the trial (3.55) takes place on its seven-race card.

The Group 3 Denny Cordell Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies & Mares Stakes headlines the card at Gowran Park, while there is a meeting from Navan.

Elsewhere, Chester stages its final race fixture of the year and the day is rounded off with an all-weather meeting from Wolverhampton.

Sunday

Listowel's Harvest festival gets under way, a meeting always eagerly anticipated by the locals in County Kerry.

In Britain, jump racing returns at Plumpton, while the Flat action comes from Hamilton.

Premier meetings

Saturday Ayr, Newbury

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