Flat racing and National Hunt action this week collide over an absorbing few days rich in substance and style.

Classic clues will firstly be abounding at Newmarket in midweek with the ever-informative Craven meeting. Wednesday's fare is characteristically spearheaded by the Leslie Harrison Memorial Nell Gwyn Stakes. Although the form to come out of last year's renewal was moderate at best, it must be remembered that 1000 Guineas starlet Speciosa took the Group Three two years ago. The Nell Gwyn is ably supplemented by the Listed Feilden Stakes, in which Henry Cecil's Kandahar Run is likely to be a leading contender.

Thursday's sport at HQ is outstanding. In addition to the Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes, won last year by the smart Asset, there is also the Weatherbys Earl of Sefton Stakes to whet the appetite. Last year's renewal went the way of none other than the great Manduro, whose record thereafter needs no hyperbole. But it is the banshahousestables.com Craven Stakes which understandably sits at the top of the tree. Most of the entries for this £50,000 Group Three will hold Classic entries and though Adagio was unable to see the form through in the 2000 Guineas, early-season vibes suggest all the big guns will have something decent with which to go to war, including Cecil in the shape of Derby second-favourite Twice Over, a real talking horse over the winter months.

With not only action at Cheltenham between Wednesday and Friday to look forward to, jumping aficionados also have the two-day Scottish National meeting at Ayr. Saturday's card at the West of Scotland track has some quality races. The Grade Two Samsung Electronics Scottish Champion Hurdle and the Ashleybank Investments Future Champion Novices' Chase should firstly keep everyone on their toes before the main event. Won last year by Ferdy Murphy's Hot Weld, Miko De Beauchene currently heads the market for this season's renewal of the £200,000 Coral Scottish Grand National. But with the likes of Himalayan Trail and Old Benny champing at the bit, it is safe to envisage yet another fiercely competitive encounter.

There will also be much to get excited about back on the level at Newbury on Friday and Saturday. Saturday's fixture is particularly engaging with the John Porter Stakes, the Greenham Stakes and the Fred Darling Stakes guaranteed to throw up a clutch of horses to follow for the rest of the term and the Ballsax Stakes should be of significance at Leopardstown towards the end of a busy week.

But perhaps the most significant Flat meeting of the weekend is on Sunday, when Great Leighs in Essex finally opens its doors for the first time, becoming the first new racecourse in Britain since Taunton in 1927. A testing session was held last Sunday and was met with enthusiasm by a contingent of invited trainers and jockeys but the course must yet negotiate a visit from the British Horseracing Authority's inspectorate.

This weekend Salop travel across the Midlands to face relegation threatened Mansfield Town with the home side 8/11 to take all three points. The draw is priced at 5/2 and those that think we can win two in a row, you can get 10/3.

Don't forget, whatever you fancy a punt on you can find all the odds by following the link to ShrewsBet to our betting partner bet365.com.

Good Luck from Shrewsweb's man on the rail