As the last month of jump season starts in style, classic favourites start to show up

Monday 

Fairyhouse hosts the highly anticipated Easter Monday gathering, marking the start of April with the thrilling BoyleSports Irish Grand National (5.00). Willie Mullins has the frontrunner in Nick Rockett, who showed great potential with a solid second-place finish behind American Mike in their previous encounter.

The card is filled with top-notch contenders, including Saint Sam and Appreciate It, battling it out in the McInerney Properties Fairyhouse Chase (4.20). The Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle (3.50) sees Zarak The Brave leading the pack, while Givemefive, representing Harry Derham, takes on the O'Driscoll's Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle (2.40).

Tuesday

The exciting part of the Flat season is approaching, and registrations have been submitted for several of the upcoming prestigious races, such as the Oaks, Coronation Cup, and Lockinge. The field for York's Dante meeting is starting to take shape, as the entries for the Duke of York, Middleton, and Yorkshire Cup races have been revealed, along with the main feature event.

Wednesday

Several well-known horses known for their jumping abilities might be competing against established names from the Flat racing world in an interesting Rhino event. Consider placing a wager on the Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes (3.40) at Nottingham. Other contenders for the race include Not So Sleepy and Hansard, as well as some well-known Flat stayers like Sumo Sam, Tashkhan, and Falcon Eight, who claimed victory in the 2021 Chester Cup.

The first three races at Kempton are filled with promising contenders, such as Sahara Snow from Godolphin, who has yet to race. Sahara Snow is a half-sister to Wuheida and is set to compete in the 1m3f fillies' novice race at 6.00. There is also some exciting action happening at Catterick.

Thursday

As the jump jockeys' championship reaches its exciting conclusion, Harry Cobden and Sean Bowen have secured rides on top contenders for Thursday's race at Southwell.

Cobden, at the forefront, has already arranged two opportunities, including riding Diskatek, trained by Mel Rowley, in the 2m maiden hurdle (3.35), and Bobo Mac in the 3m handicap hurdle (4.10) for Tom Symonds, with whom he has not yet achieved a winning ride.

Friday

The Grand National is a highly anticipated occasion, and the lineup for an exciting opening day featuring the Bowl as the main attraction will be announced on Friday.

The Racing Post Go North Finals Weekend kicks off, aiming to enhance the prize money for lower-level races in the northern region. Musselburgh kicks off the opening day with an exciting lineup of four races, each offering a generous prize purse of £30,000. It promises to be an evening filled with thrilling action and ample opportunities for racing enthusiasts to indulge in their passion.

Additional jumping events are taking place at Wetherby, Fontwell, and Wexford, while Lingfield and Dundalk offer all-weather racing.

Saturday

The ITV cameras return to Kempton for an exciting all-weather card featuring a range of competitive races. The Virgin Bet Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes (2.05) stands out as the main attraction, having been claimed by the talented Nazeef in previous editions, who later went on to achieve great success at the highest level. The race for three-year-olds over a mile distance has the potential to offer valuable insights into the upcoming Classic races.

Sunday

Leopardstown is hosting its 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas trials, featuring classic trials that are sure to captivate. Among the young horses, Poetic Flare achieved victory at Newmarket in 2021, becoming the final colt to attain Guineas glory. In the following year, Homeless Songs, the triumphant horse at Leopardstown, went on to secure another victory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh.

The Ballysax Stakes is a race that should not be missed on the card. Previous winners include Harzand, Rekindling, Broome, and Bolshoi Ballet over the last ten years.

Bath starts its season with an impressive amount of prize money up for grabs in all seven races at the track. Exciting jump racing events are happening at Carlisle, Exeter, and Downpatrick. The Racing Post Go North Finals Weekend is also taking place at Carlisle, adding to the thrill of the races.