Five things you can't miss during the racing week: from Newbury Gold to Thistle cracking Harry

NEWBURY GOLD RUN:

It may have a new name, but Saturday's Ladbrokes Trophy Chase at Newbury is every inch as competitive an event as it was when run as the Hennessy.

While the change in sponsorship will likely confuse a few at first, make no mistake the £250,000 prize is still arguably the must-win pre-Christmas prize.

Whisper has been the word on plenty of lips following his triumphant recent return at Kempton, but it is Willie Mullins' Total Recall (pictured) who currently heads the market with the Harry Fry-trained American hot on his heels.

THISTLE TO CRACK HARRY?

Unowhatimeanharry is one of the star names in the Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle on Friday's opening Newbury card, but arguably the return of Thistlecrack (pictured) is more exciting.

Harry Fry's charge fell short on the biggest day of them all at Cheltenham last season, finishing third in the Stayers' Hurdle after previously appearing unbeatable throughout the season.

Such is his wellbeing this term, Unowhatimeanharry made an unscheduled - and ultimately victorious - return at Aintree in November.

However, the likely presence of Thistlecrack, last year's King George hero, adds an extra layer of excitement to the Grade Two event.

FIGHTING FIT:

Nicky Henderson has long had his sights set on the Unibet Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle for Buveur D'Air's seasonal bow and should the reigning champion hurdler line up as planned, northern racegoers are surely in for an exciting show.

The six-year-old stormed up the Cheltenham hill back in March to beat stablemate My Tent Or Yours before adding another Grade One triumph at Aintree in April.

Faugheen has already served notice that he is back in the Champion Hurdle hunt and Henderson will be hoping his charge can deliver a perfect riposte at Gosforth Park.

GRACE GLORY:

The Bar One Hatton's Grace Hurdle is the pick of a stellar Sunday card at Fairyhouse, with last year's winner Apple's Jade (pictured) set to defend her crown following a pleasing return in the Lismullen Hurdle.

She is one of handful of entries for Gordon Elliott but, as ever, Willie Mullins could prove crucial to the piece. He has a handful of possibles to pick from headed by Melon, who let favourite backers down when beaten in last season's Supreme, but on form when winning the WKD Hurdle back in October.

FAIRYHOUSE FEATURES:

While the Hatton's Grace is the headline event, the supporting card at Fairyhouse is far from shabby with Bar One also backing the Drinmore Novice Chase and the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.

Willie Mullins has won six of the last 10 renewals of the hurdle and has plenty to pitch against what appears to be a strong group of contenders for Gordon Elliott.

The Drinmore has a rich history of producing top-class winners with Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Don Cossack among the most notable horses on the recent roll of honour.

FIXTURES FOR THE WEEK: (FLAT in capitals)

Monday: Ayr (RUK), Kempton (RUK), Ludlow (RUK)

Tuesday: Lingfield, Sedgefield, SOUTHWELL

Wednesday: Hereford, KEMPTON (RUK), Wetherby (RUK), WOLVERHAMPTON

Thursday: Musselburgh (RUK), NEWCASTLE, Taunton (RUK), Towcester

Friday: CHELMSFORD, Doncaster, Newbury ((RUK)), SOUTHWELL

Saturday: Bangor (RUK), Doncaster, Newbury (RUK), Newcastle, WOLVERHAMPTON

Sunday: Carlisle (RUK), Leicester (RUK)