Next Saturday is one of the greatest racing days in the calendar.

Highlight is undoubtedly the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury, the first big long-distance chase of the season and frequently a good guide to the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National.

Recent Wincanton winner Teeton Mill has been all the rage in ante-post betting, though the last two winners Coome Hill and Suny Bay could both be back to aim for more glory.

The Newbury card, televised on BBC, should also see Zafarabad bid to underline his Champion Hurdle claims in the Gerry Feilden Hurdle and high-class stayer Marello tackle the Long Distance Hurdle.

Champion Hurdle hopes will also be in action at Newcastle in the Newcastle Building Society 'Fighting Fifth' Hurdle, notably Dato Star and French Holly, one of three races live on Sky.

Meanwhile, Channel 4 cameras will be at Haydock Park - which stages the inaugural One Man Novices' Chase - and Warwick the same day.

Highlight earlier in the week promises to be Tuesday's Grade Two Tote Placepot Birthday Worcester Novices' Chase - a race set to beat the weather now that Worcester racecourse has recovered from recent flooding.

In Ireland the champion hurdler Istabraq is set for his second run of the season in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Further afield, Tokyo racecourse is the venue for Sunday's valuable Japan Cup, in which Godolphin's Faithful Son bids to emulate the Michael Stoute trained duo Singspiel and Pilsudksi who have lifted the prize for British racing in the past two runnings.

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