Racing this week remains in something of a state of flux as the hulk of sports fans anticipate the weekend return of Premiership football.

The beauty of equine fare is that there is always something of note on the horizon, however, as Newbury's executive will no doubt attest to.

Saturday's card in Berkshire is excellent.

The Listed Usk Valley Stud Stakes over seven furlongs should keep everyone on their toes, while Lovelace did the business 12 months ago in the valuable CGA Ladies Day Handicap.

With nearly £20,000 in prize-money up for grabs in the latter, expect a clutch of handicap snips engaged for what could prove an informative tussle.

The meeting will have fused into life before that heat, though, with a telling Pattern-race double-header.

First up is the Group Three CGA Geoffrey Freer Stakes over a a mile and five furlongs.

Despite being downgraded two years ago, there was nothing out of the ordinary about Papal Bull's destruction of a small filed 12 months ago.

Sir Michael Stoute's animal has obviously gone on to frank the form by getting so close to inflicting a painful reverse upon Duke Of Marmalade in the King George.

Thirty-five minutes later sees the return to the racing calendar of the CGA Hungerford Stakes, a solid Group Two affair over seven furlongs on the straight course.

While last year's affair was devoid of a real star, the style in which Red Evie defeated Welsh Emperor in a head-bobbing finish should have left the local populous gagging for another dose.

Channel 4 also descend upon Newmarket on Saturday - although, admittedly, there have been better cards at Headquarters - and Ripon, who enjoy their day in the spotlight with the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Stakes.

This £60,000 handicap is the touchstone for many Yorkshire trainers' seasons so do not be surprised to see the likes of T Easterby, M Easterby and R Fahey attack the six-furlong dash with all guns blazing.

Also look out for Salisbury's big two days in the summer sunshine on Wednesday and Thursday.

The first leg showcases the Listed EBF Upavon Fillies' Stakes, while Thursday's card is spearheaded by the Group Three Sovereign Stakes, won 12 months ago by Luca Cumani's Pride Of Nation.

Northern racegoers should be in their element at Beverley on Wednesday with their yearly Ladies' Day jamboree.

French action on Sunday is also worth more than a cursory glance given the high-class line-up expected for the Prix Jaques le Marois, claimed in 2007 by the exceptional Manduro.

FIXTURES (FLAT in capitals)

Monday: Southwell, THIRSK (evening), WINDSOR (evening), WOLVERHAMPTON

Tuesday: LINGFIELD, MUSSELBURGH (evening), Newton Abbot, NOTTINGHAM (evening)

Wednesday: BEVERLEY, HAMILTON (evening), SALISBURY, SANDOWN (evening), YARMOUTH

Thursday: BEVERLEY, CHEPSTOW (evening), GREAT LEIGHS (evening), SALISBURY, SANDOWN, Stratford (evening)

Friday: CATTERICK (evening), KEMPTON (evening), NEWBURY, NEWCASTLE, NEWMARKET (evening), NOTTINGHAM

Saturday: Bangor, LINGFIELD (evening), Market Rasen (evening), NEWBURY (CH4), NEWMARKET (CH4), RIPON (CH4)

Sunday: BATH, PONTEFRACT, Southwell

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