After the dizzy heights of Frankel, Carlton House and Canford Cliffs, racing could be forgiven for taking a breather before we head into an action-packed June.
But with the Investec Derby meeting and Royal Ascot just around the corner, the next seven days provide an excellent opportunity to take stock – and one or two serious names will be strutting their stuff.
Despite a relatively low-key feel about the weekend, there are some intriguing contests to look forward to at Haydock, where the headline event is the Timeform Jury Stakes, a Group Three registered as the John of Gaunt.
The seven-furlong feature has gone to Main Aim for the last two years, and given that in 2009 he went on to finish fourth in the Queen Anne Stakes and runner-up in the July Cup, the form is well worth keeping an eye on.
Throw in two Listed events in the shape of the J.W Lees Sandy Lane Stakes and the EBF Joan Westbrook Pinnacle Stakes, and a good day looks assured for the Merseyside faithful.
At Newmarket, the coral.co.uk Sprint provides plenty of interest for those that love a handicap puzzle with a big field virtually assured in the six-furlong charge, which has a prize fund of £40,000.
There is also Listed action on the cards at Headquarters with the Fairway Stakes the highlight for the purists on the second afternoon of what is a two-day fixture.
Before the weekend fare, we can look forward to some of the best evening cards of the year.
First up is Beverley, who get the chance to shine on Wednesday where the Hilary Needler Trophy has in the past attracted high-class fillies, none more so than in 2003 when the brilliant Attraction powered home at the rather rewarding odds of 11-10 – not bad for a horse that would go on to do the English/Irish 1000 Guineas double.
However, whether that continues to be the case in the future remains to be seen as the race has sadly lost its Listed status.
Sandown on Thursday night promises to be a treat and features the always-informative Blue Square Brigadier Gerard Stakes, in which last year’s Derby winner Workforce makes his eagerly-awaited reappearance.
Also the winner of the Arc in a brilliant campaign, Sir Michael Stoute starts him off here after opting against a clash with Aidan O’Brien’s ex-Aussie superstar So You Think in Ireland.
On an Esher card packed with quality, Ascot Gold Cup hopes will be on show in the Henry II Stakes over two miles, while some of the fastest youngsters seen so far this campaign will go in the National Stakes over the minimum trip and the milers have a nice opportunity in the Heron Stakes.
Sunday’s Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown also deserves a mention with the seven-furlong heat offering a deserved Group Three opportunity for the horses that might not feel the benefit of a mile.
Of particular interest in this year’s renewal will be O’Brien’s Zoffany, a leading fancy for the Irish 2000 Guineas but forced to miss the Curragh following a mild bout of colic.
Fixtures (Flat in capitals)
Monday: CARLISLE, LEICESTER, THIRSK (evening), WINDSOR (evening)
Tuesday: CHEPSTOW, Hexham (evening), Huntingdon (evening), LINGFIELD, RIPON
Wednesday: AYR, BEVERLEY (evening), Newton Abbot, Sedgefield, Southwell (evening)
Thursday: AYR, BRIGHTON, NEWCASTLE (evening), SANDOWN (evening), Wetherby (evening)
Friday: BRIGHTON, HAYDOCK (evening), NEWCASTLE, NEWMARKET, PONTEFRACT (evening), Stratford (evening)
Saturday: BEVERLEY (CH4), Cartmel (evening), CATTERICK, HAYDOCK (CH4), NEWMARKET (CH4), Stratford (evening)
Sunday: Fontwell, NOTTINGHAM, Uttoxeter.