What's On This Week In Racing - 21/01/2019

After a cold and chilly start to the week at Warwick and Sedgefield, Newcastle's evening All-weather card takes centre stage on Tuesday.

The feature race is the Betway Conditions Stakes over five furlongs, which acts as a fast-track qualifier for All-Weather Championships. Encore D'Or leads a field of seven and looks favoured by the weights, but Newcastle is very much a track for 'horses for courses'.

Robert Cowell's 7yo will need to respond after a poor effort on his last visit, which opens the door for Paul Mulrennan, who returns from a long injury layoff to partner Suzi's Connoisseur, along with Outrage who scored over course and distance two weeks ago.

Jumping takes place from Kelso and Leicester in the afternoon.

On Wednesday, we go jumping in the afternoon at Hereford and Catterick, before two cards on the All-Weather at Kempton and Lingfield.

The feature of the day again comes on the Polytrack in East Surrey, where there is an intriguing Class Two Betway Handicap over ten furlongs, headlined by the likes of Pactolus, Abe Lincoln and Caspar The Cub.

However, it is a big day in the sport, as the 2018 Longines World's Best Horse Race Ceremony takes place at The Landmark Hotel in London.

It looks to be a straight match-up between Australian Superstar Winx and son of Frankel and Champion Stakes winner Cracksman for the main prize, who were both rated 130 back in November.

We may see a change in the rankings on Wednesday, and you can find out all the results here at The Winners Enclosure.

A busy day in the UK on Thursday does not see too much top action with Fakenham and Wetherby cards over obstacles in the afternoon and Southwell and finally Chelmsford completing proceedings on the artificial surface.

Having said that, there is a decent looking Class Three Handicap Chase at Wetherby at 3:20, headed by Dr Richard Newland's Catamaran Du Seuil, including the veteran Splash Of Ginge.

Therefore, our attentions turn to Ireland to hopefully see the long-awaited return of the current Gold Cup favourite Presenting Percy, who is set for a spin over hurdles in the Galmoy.

There is also one the biggest handicaps in the Irish Calendar - the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase over 3m1f, featuring familiar names such as Mullins duo Total Recall and Invitation Only, along with Mall Dini, Monbeg Notorious and Solomn Grundy.

Racing returns to Doncaster for the first time in a short-while, ahead of the first day of their two day January meeting, featuring the Sky Bet Chase.

The feature race on Friday though is the Listed Fillies' Juvenile Hurdle, where the unbeaten Fabianski looks set to clash with Keith Dalgelish's top 4yo Chica Buena. Ozzie The Oscar meanwhile can follow up his Cheltenham victory with another win on his first start at Town Moor for the Class Two Sky Bet Handicap Chase.

Huntingdon have a seven-race card sponsor by the Pertemps Network, before both Lingfield and Newcastle both hold respective all-weather meetings.

There is once again a night under lights on Friday at Dundalk, Ireland.

Saturday looks a phenomenal day's action, with Festival Trials day to get all racing fans in the mood for the real thing in exactly fifty days time.

Trials for the JCB Triumph, JLT Novices Chase and the Ballymore are joined by the Grade Two Cleeve Hurdle and the Cotswold Chase - which has been reopened until 11am on Tuesday after only eight were entered.

The Stayers are out for the Cleeve, in which Black Op and Lil Rockerfeller are making the transition back to Hurdles, whilst Paisley Park can continue his incredible run this season, after winning the Long Walk at Ascot latest.

At Doncaster, there is a trial for the Albert Bartlett, along with the Listed Sky Bet Chase over three miles, where Minella Rocco looks to make his first start in almost twelve months. Dingo Dollar is sure to be amongst the principles, having finished third in the Ladbrokes Trophy back in December.

There is also six races over hurdles and fences at Uttoxeter, with two cards from Chelmsford and Lingfield on the standard flat.

Internationally, the world's richest race takes place at Gulfstream in Florida, for the Pegasus World Cup.

Two meetings on Sunday in Britain, taking place at the figure of eight track at Fontwell, and returning to Sedgefield soon after their meeting on Monday.

Both have six races, and complete a fine week in the calendar.