Punters will have to keep their powder dry this week as they face a bumper weekend of action with top-class racing at no less than four venues.

There will be wall-to-wall quality on offer on Saturday, not only at Lingfield, which features the Grade One totesport Chase, but also Wincanton, Haydock and Uttoxeter.

The two-and-a-half-mile race at the former is registered as the Ascot Chase, but has transferred to Lingfield as the finishing touches are added to its Berkshire home.

Always a quality event, novice Ollie Magern just failed to catch more experienced rival It Takes Time in the £100,000 prize last season.

Iris's Gift made his debut over fences in the race to little effect, but is a possible to take his chance once more as he bids to book his place in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

With the Grade Two Reynoldstown Novices' Chase also offering a late opportunity for Royal & SunAlliance Chase hopefuls, the Surrey venue's card certainly has a real touch of class about it.

The same can be said for Wincanton as they stage the last of the recognised Champion Hurdle trials in the shape of the Bathwick Tyres Kingwell Hurdle.

Inglis Drever lifted the two-mile race last season before going on to glory in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Festival and another quality field is assured.

Ebony Light caused a shock when easily accounting for Kingscliff at Haydock last time and he is set to return to the Merseyside venue for the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup.

Aintree legend Ginger McCain is targeting a victorious swansong in the National before his planned retirement and he will be looking for a good run from his 10-year-old in Grade Three event.

Fixtures (FLAT in capitals) Monday: LINGFIELD, Plumpton, WOLVERHAMPTON.

Tuesday: Folkestone, Newcastle, SOUTHWELL.

Wednesday: Leicester, LINGFIELD, Musselburgh.

Thursday: Huntingdon, SOUTHWELL, Taunton.

Friday: Fakenham, Market Rasen, WOLVERHAMPTON.

Saturday: Haydock (BBC), Lingfield, Uttoxeter (Channel 4), Wincanton (Channel 4), WOLVERHAMPTON.

Sunday: Fontwell, Towcester.