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What's on this week

What's on this week: Constitution Hill returns, Newbury's Coral Gold Cup meeting and Grade 1 action at Fairyhouse

Constitution Hill: sold at Tattersalls Ireland in 2017 for €16,500
Constitution Hill: back in action this week

Monday

Shishkin and Master Tommytucker won Kempton's 2m2f novice chase (1.25) before going on to win at Graded level and Nicky Henderson starts off talented hurdler First Street over fences. The six-year-old once chased home State Man in the County Hurdle and looks an exciting recruit to chasing. He takes on just two rivals though. 

There is a Listed 3m½f mares' hurdle (2.35) on the card, while action also comes from Ludlow.

At noon, confirmations for the £250,000 Coral Gold Cup will be revealed, with the line-up for Newbury's prestigious handicap chase coming into focus, while entries for the rest of the card will also come out. Dysart Enos, ante-post favourite for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, is among the exciting potential runners.

Confirmations are also made for Saturday's BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (1.55), when we will get a better idea of who might take on the mighty Constitution Hill at Newcastle.

Monday marks the start of the HWPA's Racing Media Week, with videos providing an insight into the various jobs around the industry, including with members of the Racing Post team, posted each day.

Tuesday

Rachael Blackmore heads to Tramore for just one ride aboard the exciting Branprionsa in the familiar Honeysuckle silks of Kenny Alexander. The Henry de Bromhead-trained mare was defeated on her rules debut at Cork, but the 22-length point-to-point winner should be the one to beat in the 2m5f mares' maiden hurdle (1.00).

A blockbuster Christmas period of racing is getting closer and entries for the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle will come out on Tuesday. The likely fields for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase and the Coral Welsh Grand National will also become clearer.

Wednesday

Charles Byrnes could have his first runners at Hereford with three horses among the entries. Reverend Hubert, who was third at Cheltenham on his latest start, is the most notable in the 2m3½f novice hurdle (12.20).

There are other jumps fixtures at Kelso and Wetherby, while declarations will be made for Friday's racing, with the first day of Newbury's Coral Gold Cup meeting the highlight. The pick of the races is the Long Distance Hurdle, in which Marie's Rock could take on Paisley Park.

Vanillier: returns to action this week
Vanillier: returns to action this weekCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Thursday

All eyes are on the BetVictor Chase (12.40) at Thurles, where Grand National runner-up Vanillier is among an excellent field of entries. The Gavin Cromwell-trained runner has not been seen since finishing behind Corach Rambler at Aintree and could clash with the likes of Janidil, French Dynamite and James Du Berlais.

British jumps action takes place at Musselburgh, Lingfield and Taunton.

Friday

The ever-popular Paisley Park is poised for his seasonal return in the Coral Long Distance Hurdle (3.00). He is set to take on the talented mare Marie's Rock. Tom Bellamy will take over on the former Stayers' Hurdle hero with Dashel Drasher another potential opponent.

A quality card also includes the Grade 2 Coral John Francome Novices' Chase (1.50), in which high-class Hermes Allen is set to make his first start over fences against impressive back-to-back winner Nickle Back. JP McManus's Jeriko Du Reponet is held in high regard and it will be fascinating to see his debut for Nicky Henderson at 12.10.

There is also action at Musselburgh and Doncaster.

Saturday

The horse everyone wants to see is back on Saturday. Constitution Hill will make his first start since April in Newcastle's BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle (1.55), seeking an eighth consecutive victory under rules. The Champion Hurdle winner could take on Love Envoi, You Wear It Well and former winner Not So Sleepy.

Newbury: track races all year round
Coral Gold Cup: Newbury's biggest day of the seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Also at Newcastle, Shishkin could look to redeem himself after refusing to race in last weekend's 1965 Chase at Ascot with Nicky Henderson entering the star chaser in the Rehearsal Chase (3.05) as a last-ditch option to get a prep run before the King George.

Newbury's Coral Gold Cup (2.50) is one of the highlights of the season and is set to be an absolute cracker, with strong representation from Britain and Ireland. 

Complete Unknown, who chased home Gerri Colombe at Aintree last season, leads the line for Britain having made a winning return, with the home challenge supported by Monbeg Genius, Midnight River and Kitty's Light. Mahler Mission was ahead in the National Hunt Chase before coming down in March and looks like Ireland's main hope.

The two excellent cards are supported by cards at Bangor and Doncaster.

Sunday

A day on from Constitution Hill, one of his biggest rivals in the Champion Hurdle market will hit the track with Impaire Et Passe in line to return in the Bar One Racing Hatton's Grace Hurdle (2.35). His opposition could include Teahupoo, Sire Du Berlais and Ashroe Diamond.

That will be one of three Grade 1 contests at Fairyhouse with Corbetts Cross and Sharjah among early entries in the Bar One Racing Drinmore Novice Chase (2.00), while Encanto Bruno, Mahon's Way and Brighterdaysahead are among a cluster of big names on course for the Bar One Racing Royal Bond Novice Hurdle (1.25).

In Britain, the Listed Mares' Chase (1.35) at Carlisle is the highlight, with racing also coming from Leicester.


Read these next:

What Mullins runners? Fastorslow not cowed by Closutton quintet as he beats Galopin Des Champs again to land John Durkan 

'We're very happy' - Constitution Hill comes through gallop in style as Fighting Fifth return edges closer 

'He could be a big improver' - Nicholls, McConnell, Skelton and O'Neill assess their leading Coral Gold Cup contenders 


The Racing Post Annual 2024 is out now! This exciting review of the racing year has 208 colour pages packed with the best stories and is beautifully illustrated with stunning images. The perfect gift at £19.99. To order, click here or call 01933 304858.


West Country correspondent

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