Monday
The calm before the storm and with the British jumps season having come to a thrilling climax on Saturday, six Flat meetings across Britain and Ireland start a fascinating week.
The pick of the day s racing comes from Navan where the Listed Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital Woodlands Stakes (2.25) is the feature of an eight-race card.
Ayr hosts the first of its two-day meeting to herald the beginning of its Flat season, Lingfield and Southwell host all-weather afternoon fixtures and Windsor and Thirsk keep the action going well into the evening.
Tuesday
The jumps season might be over in Britain, but there is plenty still to play for in Ireland as the five-day Punchestown festival gets under way with three Grade 1s.
William Hill Champion Chase (Grade 1) | 2m | 5yo+ | RTE2/RTV
Willie Mullins is eager to see if breathtaking Ryanair Chase winner Allaho has the necessary pace to be one the become one of the top two-mile chasers in training next season, suggesting that the outcome of Tuesday s scintillating William Hill Champion Chase will have a bearing on the seven-year-old s 2021-22 campaign.
Cheveley Park s ace performer produced a dominant front-running display when bolting up at the Cheltenham Festival and is set for his first chasing start over shorter than 2m4f.
Rachael Blackmore, who took no prisoners in that 12-length demolition job, maintains the partnership with the 2020 RSA Chase third.
What s on this week: Punchestown and the Guineas headline a stunning seven days | Horse Racing News racingpost.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from racingpost.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
UPDATED 2:36PM, APR 25 2021
Irish champion jockey Paul Townend will make a timely return to the saddle on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival after being booked to ride in each of Tuesday s three Grade 1s, providing a huge boost for the Willie Mullins team ahead of the biggest week in Irish jump racing.
Townend has been sidelined since injuring his foot after falling from Egality Mans at Fairyhouse earlier in the month, an injury which forced him to miss the Grand National meeting at Aintree, but he has been declared fit to ride at the five-day extravaganza.
The 30-year-old’s return comes at the perfect time as he is coming under increasing pressure from Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National winner Rachael Blackmore in the race to be Ireland’s leading jockey this season.
Minella Indo on course to attempt Gold Cup double at Punchestown racingtv.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from racingtv.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.