What's on this week: star jumps prospects emerge and Cheltenham's December meeting

Monday

There is an exciting prospect in action to start the week at Lingfield, where Aintree mares' bumper winner Diva Luna is set for her return in the 2m mares' novice hurdle (1.30). Her ante-post odds of 16-1 for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival could shorten if she were to build on her promise.

Impressive debut winner Zandita lines up in the 7f novice stakes (5.15) at Wolverhampton, while racing also takes place at Musselburgh and Newcastle.

Entries are revealed for the weekend's action, including a big Saturday card at Cheltenham.

Tuesday

The 2m7½f beginners' chase (12.20) at Punchestown was the starting point for Embassy Gardens last season and Willie Mullins looks set to use it to launch Dancing City's chasing career. Paul Townend is booked for last season's three-time Grade 1 winning novice hurdler.

At Uttoxeter the exciting bumper winner Fingle Bridge has an entry in the 2m maiden hurdle (1.12) for Olly Murphy for what would be his first start in more than 700 days. There is also action at Fontwell and Southwell.

Dancing City: set for chase debutCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Wednesday

Eydon, who finished fourth in the 2022 2,000 Guineas, is among the entries for the Unibet Wild Flower Stakes (7.10) at Kempton. Oisin Murphy, fresh from success in Hong Kong on Sunday, is set to ride.

Patrick Mullins could ride at Hereford for the first time after being booked to partner More Coko for his father Willie in the 2m bumper (3.40).

There is also action at Hexham and Dundalk but Leicester's card was cancelled on Monday morning due to waterlogging.

Keep an eye out for the release of the early-closing entries for the Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle. The race, won by Envoi Allen and Bob Olinger in recent years, is always one to watch with a view to the future.

Thursday

The Listed eventmasters.co.uk Lady Godiva Mares' Novices' Chase (1.55) is the highlight at Warwick, with Cheltenham Festival winner You Wear It Well among the possible starters.

Warwick forms part of a busy afternoon along with racing at Newcastle and Taunton, while Chelmsford hosts evening action.

Friday

It is Cheltenham's final fixture of 2024 and Paul Nicholls could deploy two of his brightest prospects in Regent's Stroll (12.10) and Caldwell Potter (12.40). There are some competitive handicaps too, notably a 3m2f handicap chase (1.50) featuring Chianti Classico and King Turgeon, who had been due to run in Saturday's cancelled Becher Chase at Aintree.

Three races from Bangor feature in ITV's Cheltenham coverage, including a competitive 3m handicap chase (2.05), while Doncaster also hosts a seven-race jumps card.

Southwell keeps the show on the road for Flat fans with an evening all-weather meeting.

Caldwell Potter: could look to build on successful chase debutCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Saturday

It is the second day of racing at Cheltenham where the Nyetimber December Gold Cup (1.50) is the centrepiece. Last year's winner Fugitif heads the betting but Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Il Ridoto is on course to return to the track.

The ITV cameras are also at Doncaster for three races, including a 3m Listed mares' hurdle (2.40) which was added to the programme this season.

All-weather entertainment comes from Southwell and Wolverhampton.

Sunday

It is a landmark day to end the week as Windsor stages its first jumps meeting in nearly 20 years. The card includes a 2m maiden hurdle (1.20) and a 3m½f handicap chase (1.55).

Windsor's card is supported by a seven-race meeting at Carlisle, which includes a Pertemps qualifier (2.05).

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