TODAY is one of the busiest days in the racing calendar, with seven domestic meetings.

And among them lies one of the biggest betting heats of the year, the Totesport Victoria Cup at Ascot.

Twenty-nine horses face the starter at 3.25, among them a few northern challengers, including the Mark Johnston-trained Thebes and Kevin Ryan’s inmate, Advanced.

But they all could struggle to peg back the very progressive Mabait.

Trained in Newmarket by Luca Cumani, the four-yearold is looking for his fifth straight win, and with Kieren Fallon on board and despite the 10lb rise for his latest Sandown win, he should go very close from stall 16.

There is also an interesting seven-race card at Haydock this afternoon, half of which is Flat racing, the rest over the sticks, including the fiercely competitive Swinton Handicap Hurdle.

David Pipe, who has had two winners this week on the Flat, including Mamlook in the Chester Cup, saddles four in the race and looks to have a solid chance with Hunterview.

The four-year-old, who was very useful on the Flat, took his time to find his feet over hurdles but did run out a very easy winner at Ayr last time out. The handicapper has putt him up 11lb, but arguably that wouldn’t have stopped him north of the border and he can win off his new mark under stable jockey Tom Scudamore.

Some of the Flat jockeys who are riding at Haydock will be looking for a sharp exit so they can get across to Thirsk, where a six-race card gets under way at 6:05.

The 7:05, a mile-and-a-half handicap, has an interesting look to it and it could well be one for the girls, with Destinys Dream appearing the one to beat.

Trained in Spennymoor by Tracy Waggott, the five-yearold has already been successful at the track and she has been slightly unlucky on her last two starts.

Destinys Dream is due to be ridden by Kelly Harrison, who has ridden her to victory in the past and who partnered Whispered Times to victory at Newcastle on Tuesday. Whispered Times is also trained by a certain Tracy Waggott