What's on this week: Cheltenham Festival winners return plus Grand National fences back in action in the Grand Sefton

Monday

There is Listed all-weather action at Kempton to kickstart the week with the Slate Floodlit Stakes (2.20), where John and Thady Gosden have their first runner since the Breeders' Cup with hot favourite Military Academy. The Fastnet Rock colt was impressive in his novice contests before finishing second to Burdett Road last time.

The pick of the jumps action comes from Plumpton, where two-time bumper winner Blue Las makes her debut over obstacles in the 2m mares' maiden hurdle (12.58) with the in-form Dylan Johnston aboard. Jumps racing also takes place at Hereford, with evening racing at Wolverhampton and Southwell.

Tuesday

Set the alarms for an early start as the Lexus Melbourne Cup takes place at 4am where Willie Mullins, the dominant force in Ireland and Britain, now looks to take Australia by storm with Vauban and Absurde among the main contenders. Britain's hopes rest on Onesmoothoperator and Sea King, for Brian Ellison and Harry Eustace, while the home challenge is headed by Buckaroo.

It is also a big day in the jumps with entries unveiled for the King George on Boxing Day and Betfair Chase on November 23. Like at Flemington, Mullins is expected to play a significant role.

The best of the domestic action comes from Warwick.

Wednesday

Chepstow's early-season races are usually informative and a whole host of potential is on show in the 2m maiden hurdle (1.20) including unbeaten bumper winner Let It Rain, Aintree Grade 2 runner-up Tripoli Flyer and Tutti Quanti, described as the dark horse this season by Paul Nicholls.

Queen Anne winner Accidental Agent and Graded hurdler Tritonic are among those in action at Kempton on Wednesday afternoon, while racing also takes place at Musselburgh, Nottingham and Dundalk.

In Ireland, entries for the Hatton's Grace Hurdle will be watched closely as Mullins looks to jostle his huge team of exciting hurdlers while with a view to next year, and entries close for the 2025 Irish Derby and Irish Oaks.

Smart bumper winner Let It Rain heads over hurdles on WednesdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Thursday

It is Clonmel Oil Chase day (2.40) and Fakir D'Oudairies and Journey With Me are among likely star runners in the Grade 2 highlight.

However, the 2m4f Listed mares' chase (2.05) could be the most intriguing race at Clonmel as it features Limerick Lace, the Cheltenham Festival winner who was a beaten joint-favourite in the Grand National last time. Allegorie De Vassy was behind her in the Mares' Chase at the festival and the pair clash again.

Newbury is the latest dual-purpose track to switch to jumps and its first meeting also features a Cheltenham Festival winner with Monmiral in the Pertemps qualifier (2.52). He won the final for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden in March.

Cobden also has an exciting new ride aboard Anno Power in the 2m½f mares' novice hurdle (2.17) for Harry Fry but opposition includes Kientzheim, a new recruit to the Nicky Henderson stable, who is related to Epatante.

Racing also comes from Ludlow while Southwell, Newcastle and Chelmsford make up a busy day on the all-weather.

Friday

It is the start of the two-day West Country weekend at Exeter and the track stages its biggest race of the season, the Bet MGM Haldon Gold Cup (2.25). Leading novice JPR One is among the potential runners. Elsewhere, star prospect Captain Teague is among potential runners in the Future Stars Novices' Chase (1.50).

Jumps action also comes from Fontwell and Hexham and evening racing at Newcastle and Dunalk.

Saturday

ITV cameras are at Wincanton for the second day of the West Country weekend, where the Badger Beer Handicap Chase (3.30) is the highlight. There are two other Grade 2 races on the card, the Rising Stars Novices' Chase (2.23) and Elite Hurdle (2.55).

The Badger Beer at Wincanton is one of the big races on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

There is more jumps action at Aintree, where the Grand National fences are back in use for the Boylesports Grand Sefton Handicap Chase (2.40) while racing also takes place at Kelso and Gowran. 

It is the final day of the turf season at Doncaster, where the retirement of Jimmy Quinn, the oldest jockey in the weighing room, will be among the key talking points. Racing also takes place at Chelmsford.

Sunday

The final European Group 1 race of the year takes place at Munich with the Grosser Preis von Bayern. Godolphin will be represented by Ancient Wisdom while Al Riffa, who won at the top level in Germany in August, is also set to feature.

In Britain, the week finishes with racing at Sandown and Ffos Las. The former includes a 3m veterans' handicap chase (3.25) while the 2m4f novice handicap chase could also be worth following. Le Patron won the race last season before going onto win the Henry VIII Novices' Chase at the track a month later.

Jumps racing is also staged at Naas, where the Grade 3 Barberstown Castle Chase (2.35), won last year by subsequent Grade 1 winner Dinoblue, is the highlight of the eight-race card. 

Premier racedays

Friday Exeter
Saturday Doncaster, Wincanton

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