What's on this week: the Betfair Chase, Willie Mullins unleashes some champions and Auguste Rodin's swansong in Japan

Monday

Paddy Power Gold Cup winner Freddie Gingell heads to Exeter, where he continues his fruitful link-up with Paul Nicholls through three rides alongside one for Anthony Charlton. Last-time-out-winners Kick Up A Storm and Vaguely Royal are among his leading chances.

The most in-form horse on Monday may be at Southwell, where HK Fourteen bids for his fourth win in 19 days in the 6f handicap (8.15). More all-weather action can be found at Wolverhampton.

Dylan Johnston holds a 50 per cent strike-rate at Leicester over the last five seasons and could improve that figure on George Mallory in the 2m4½f conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle (12.40). The day's action is completed by a jumps fixture at Plumpton.

Away from the track confirmations are made for the big race of the weekend in Britian, the Betfair Chase (3.05) at Haydock on Saturday.

Tuesday

Marown has finished in the top three in his last eight starts without success and will bid for an elusive win in the veterans' chase (2.05) at Carlisle.

Jump racing also takes place at Fakenham, where course-and-distance winner For Pleasure will aim to continue Olly Murphy's strong start to the season in the opening 2m handicap hurdle (12.55).

Limerick is the first Irish fixture of the week and all-weather racing is at Lingfield and Southwell, where Molinari bids for a hat-trick in the 1m3f handicap (5.30).

Confirmations are made for Saturday's Morgiana Hurdle and Sunday's John Durkan Chase at Punchestown, while entries are revealed for Sandown's Grade 1 Tingle Creek, with Britain's best two-mile chasers, including Jonbon and Edwardstone, expected to feature. The contest takes place on December 7 following the Henry VIII Novices' Chase.

Wednesday

Buckna, an eyecatching £350,000 purchase for Warren Greatrex, could be a notable debutant at Ffos Las and has options in both the 2m (12.15) and 2m4f maiden hurdle (1.25) on the card.

At Warwick, there's plenty of interest in the 2m5f novice hurdle (1.35), with unbeaten runners from the yards of Nigel Twiston-Davies, Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls all possible contenders.

Hillcrest: could make his chase debut on WednesdayCredit: John Grossick

The following novice handicap chase (2.10) could also be a smart contest, with six last-time-out winners entered, including Listed winner Booster Bob.

Henry Daly is on the hunt for suitable ground for his imposing Grade 2 winner Hillcrest and the nine-year-old, who was been sidelined for two and a half years, could run in Hexham's 3m novice chase (1.45). Dundalk and Kempton also stage all-weather fixtures.

Away from the track, the 34th Cartier Racing Awards, which will be presented at the Dorchester Hotel in London, take place on Wednesday evening. The coveted Horse of the Year prize will be awarded to one of four finalists: Bluestocking, Charyn, City Of Troy or Kyprios.

Thursday

Ahead of a big weekend for Willie Mullins, he sends out his first runners of the week at Thurles in Mister Pink and Jarrive De Mee, who both won on their last starts.

The veteran handicap chase (2.25) at Warwick has attracted some big names, with Graded winner Eldorado Allen, last season's Plate scorer Shakem Up'arry and seasoned chaser Empire Steel among the possible runners.

The final jumps meeting of the day is at Wincanton, where Grade 1 runner-up War Lord is entered in the 2m4f handicap hurdle (2.50) alongside useful hurdlers Irish Hill and Altobelli.

Former Derby contender Artistic Star heads the weights for the £25,200 1m4f handicap (6.30) at Southwell under Rossa Ryan alongside all-weather cards at Wolverhampton and Lingfield.

Friday

Smart hurdler Gidleigh Park could make his chase debut at Ascot on Friday with an entry in the 2m3f novice handicap chase (12.55).

The Grade 2 winner is far from the only potentially smart chase debutant, with the Nicky Henderson-trained pair of Jingko Blue and Lucky Place also possible runners. The feature 2m5f handicap chase (2.05) could also be a smart affair, with Grade 1 winner Le Patron among the 19 entries.

Gidleigh Park: Graded hurdler entered at Ascot on ThursdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The JP McManus-owned Ilikedwayurthinkin will carry a penalty in the 3m1f novice handicap chase (3.00) at Catterick after a recent win at Ayr, but is a horse on the up for Ben Haslam. The seven-card meeting runs alongside a fixture at Chepstow and Tipperary.

Friday's evening meetings are at Dundalk and Newcastle, where experienced sprinter Equilateral could make his course debut in the 5f sprint (5.15).

Saturday

The Betfair Chase (3.05) is the highlight event on Saturday as Grey Dawning is expected to make his much-anticipated seasonal debut in the Grade 1 contest at Haydock.

Ahoy Senor, Hewick and last year's winner Royale Pagaille are among the hopefuls for the first British Grade 1 race of the season, with the race preceded by a Grade 2 novice hurdle (12.08) and a £100,000 premier handicap (2.30).

Boothill could seek his third consecutive win in the Hurst Park Handicap Chase (3.20) at Ascot and the track also stages the Grade 2 Nirvana Spa 1965 Chase (1.30), Berkshire National (2.05) and the Grade 2 Ascot Hurdle (2.45).

More top class action can be found at Punchestown, which kicks off its big weekend with the Grade 1 Unibet Morgiana Hurdle (2.10), won for the last two years by State Man. Punchestown festival winners Ballyburn and Lossiemouth may also feature.

The undercard includes the Grade 2 Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase (1.00), while fixtures take place at Huntingdon, Newcastle and Wolverhampton.

Sunday

Another chapter in the fierce rivalry between dual Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow is set to play out at Punchestown on Sunday in the John Durkan Memorial Chase (1.50).

Galopin Des Champs claimed the race in 2022 before Fastorslow defeated him last year, going on to claim two Punchestown Gold Cups. The pair are among 20 entries for the 2m3½f contest, with last-season-novices Fact Or File, Gaelic Warrior and Il Etait Temps all liable to add an interesting dimension to the race.

Galopin Des Champs (left) could take on Fastorslow on SundayCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

The card also includes the BetVictor Craddockstown Novice Chase (1.15), won last year by Imagine, and a Listed mares' hurdle (12.40).

More jump racing takes place at Cork, Uttoxeter and Exeter, headlined by a £20,000 novice handicap chase (1.40).

Away from Britain and Ireland, dual Derby winner Auguste Rodin is set to make his swansong in the Japan Cup in Tokyo. The four-year-old, who was beaten by a neck in the Irish Champions Stakes when last seen, aims to achieve a ninth and final success for Aidan O'Brien before beginning his stallion career at Coolmore. But he will have Goliath, Ascot's King George winner, standing in his way in Japan.

Premier meetings

Saturday: Ascot and Haydock

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