We have a busy day’s racing on Friday with action from Bahrain, Sedgefield and Southwell, live on ...

4.35 Bahrain - Defending champion Royal Champion headlines 13 runners

The Group One looks a belter with last year's hero among 13 runners.

The Karl Burke-trained eight-year-old has a fine CV that includes a pair of Group Two wins alongside a top-level success in the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi earlier this year. He bids to double his tally and follow up last year's success but will need to be at his best as he faces a deep field.

has long been considered as an ideal type for this prize and has improved with each start for new trainer George Scott. He beat several of these when claiming the Group Two Prix Dollar on Arc weekend and looks poised to strike under Christophe Soumillon.

Oisín Murphy has his first sit on who makes his debut for Ed Crisford. A progressive type, he won on this last three starts for Roger Varian and has earned his place at the top table.

Prix Dollar second is another to consider for Francis-Henri Graffard team.

2.40 Southwell - Madam Speaker and Clondaw Park do battle

A classy Festive Fixtures At Southwell Racecourse mares' Novices' Hurdle sees Madam and do battle at Southwell.

Nicky Henderson saddles who brings in solid form in bumpers finishing in the frame on all three starts and she will be expected to step up again over hurdles.

cost a whopping £320,000 at the Tatts Cheltenham sale in March last year after winning her maiden point with plenty to spare. She contested Listed company on her rules debut before finishing third in a fair novices' hurdle at Chepstow and that form put her right in the mix.

Olly Murphy's is next best after taking silver on her two bumper starts.

1.55 Sedgefield - Wee Alki tops a trio of recent winners

A trio of last-time winners lock horns in this Sedgefield Christmas Jumper Raceday 22nd December Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle.

Topweight notched a third win over hurdles when seeing off Broken Ice at Perth, but he will need to improve off this career-high mark.

recorded a fourth win of the year when keeping on to score at this track last time and might be able to capitalise off this lower hurdles rating.

Brian Ellison's is far less exposed and after recording a first career success at Hexham he must be feared despite a 6lbs penalty.

Best of the rest

3.45 Bahrain - - , and feature. and others to note.

2.05 Southwell - Mirage d'Alene makes appeal on bumper debut.

Sam England 38 per cent there this season.