General / Andrew Hughes / 17 October 2009 / Leave a comment

The National Hunt season gets into full swing this week with some top class action from Aintree whilst on the flat, there remains some unfinished business at Doncaster and Newbury. Andrew Hughes brings us highlights of the next seven days in racing

"The return of this autumn favourite (the Old Roan Chase) is always welcome. A Graded Handicap over two-and-a-half miles, it usually features some top class chasers."

Sunday October 18

Longchamp

2:50 Prix de Conde
A Group Three for two-year-olds that often involves a small field of lightly raced horses and may throw up a star or two. This year's renewal includes the undefeated Godolphin horse Zeitoper and Paul Cole's winner of the Prix Thomas Byron, Circumvent.

3:20 Prix du Conseil de Paris
Some lesser Group types on show for this mile-and-a-half contest but some interesting three-year-olds entered here, including the undefeated Shahwardi and Cirrus Des Aigles, winner of a Group Three on its last outing at Longchamp.

Naas

5:05 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fund Garnet Stakes
A Listed contest run over a touch further than a mile for which the substantial prize fund has attracted a high number of entries including a decent-sized contingent of three-year-olds. Aidan O'Brien's increasingly disappointing filly Roman Empress gets another chance and it could be worth looking out for John Oxx's unexposed filly, Zaralanta winner of her only race back in March.

Cork

4:20 Kinsale Handicap Chase
A two-mile Grade B contest featuring one time Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Newmill tussling with some up and coming novice chasers including Henry De Bromhead's Sizing Africa.

5:25 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fund Novice Chase
Decent prize money on offer for this two-and-a-half-mile contest and some interesting novices lining up for it, including the chasing debutant, Catch Me, a multiple Graded winner over hurdles for Edward O'Grady.

Kempton

3:25 Novices Hurdle
The National Hunt season is getting into full swing and it is good to see Kempton's jumping track back in action. The two top-rated for this Listed event are Cootehill and Australia Day but look out for Press The Button for the James Boyle stable, a winner on both of its starts to date.

Monday October 19

Pontefract

3:40 Silver Tankard Stakes
One of the better races at this Yorkshire course, run over a touch further than a mile and confined to two-year-olds. It often features a small field, though usually dominated by youngsters from the bigger stables. Godolphin have eight of the entries at this stage, the highest rated of which is Frozen Power, something of a disappointment in last month's Royal Lodge Stakes.

Saturday October 24

Aintree

1:05 Handicap Hurdle
A typically competitive Saturday betting event, this two-and-a-half-mile handicap is sure to feature a big field and will be a tough one for punters to unravel.

1:40 Veterans Handicap Chase
These races confined to horses aged ten or older have proven to be fairly popular, giving people a chance to see some old favourites in action. And punters should enjoy this too, with all these competitors being fully exposed form-wise.

2:15 Old Roan Chase
The return of this autumn favourite is always welcome. A Graded Handicap over two-and-a-half miles, it usually features some top class chasers, although as ever at this time of year, some animals will be more forward in their fitness than others.

Newbury

2:05 Horris Hill Stakes
A Group Three confined to two-year-old colts and geldings, this race is no longer considered to be an important Classic trial but should still feature a decent field of promising young horses.

2:35 St Simon Stakes
Another Group Three contest, this time for older horses and run over a mile-and-a-half. It is likely to feature a small field but there will be plenty of exposed form for punters to mull over.

3:45 RBL County Poppy Appeal Stakes
This seven-furlong event for fillies is usually known as the Radley Stakes and has traditionally been one of the stronger two-year-old races in the calendar.

Doncaster

2:55 Doncaster Stakes
A Listed event for two-year-olds that is likely to include a host of hot prospects and often goes to an improver from one of the top yards.

3:30 Racing Post Trophy
A prestigious Group One event for two-year-olds, this mile event has produced five Classic winners this century and is the last piece of evidence available to punters looking to place autumn antepost wagers on the Guineas and the Derby.

Tags: Aidan O Brien, aintree, Doncaster Races, horseracing betting briefing, old roan chase