Visindar is sure to be the name on the lips of racing fans this week as Epsom stage the two-day Vodafone Derby meeting.

Andre Fabre has yet to win the mile-and-a-half Classic and no French-based runner has struck Epsom gold since Empery in 1976, but that has not stopped the punters piling on this horse.

A son of 2000 Derby winner Sinndar, Visindar arrives with an unbeaten record and the hopes of a fifth Derby win for owner the Aga Khan pinned on him.

Saturday's race will be no penalty kick though, and it is an event no true racing fan should miss.

The blue riband is the headline event of the fixture but there is plenty of action away from the main event.

Ladies' Day starts the meeting on Friday when the Vodafone Oaks and Coronation Cup share top billing.

Sir Michael Stoute looks to hold the key to the Classic with Riyalma and Short Skirt taking high order in the betting, while stablemate Scottish Stage would not be without a chance if turning up.

Not only does Fabre have Visindar to look forward to but his Shirocco would be many people's idea of the Coronation Cup winner.

With Ouija Board also set to turn up at meeting that also features the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, Diomed Stakes and the Dash', it should be wall-to-wall action.

Away from the Surrey venue, Sandown have a busy week in prospect with no less than three meetings on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Bank Holiday Monday sees the Group Two Henry II Stakes and the National Stakes, while a classy evening card on Tuesday is highlighted by the betfair.com Temple Stakes and Brigadier Gerard Stakes.

Redcar also race on the Bank Holiday with the ultra-competitive totesport Zetland Gold Cup the pick, with Beverley's evening meeting on Wednesday well worth a look.

The Listed Hilary Needler Trophy is one of the showpiece events on the Westwood and Donna Blini finished second to Claire Hills last year before going on to Group One glory.

If you have not had enough racing come Sunday, turn your attention towards France where the Prix du Jockey-Club the French Derby will be run at Chantilly.

Fixtures (FLAT in capitals): Monday: Cartmel, CHEPSTOW, LEICESTER, REDCAR, SANDOWN.

Tuesday: CHEPSTOW, Hexham (evening), LEICESTER, REDCAR, SANDOWN (evening).

Wednesday: BEVERLEY (evening), BRIGHTON, Cartmel, SOUTHWELL (evening), YARMOUTH.

Thursday: AYR, NOTTINGHAM, SANDOWN (evening), Wetherby (evening), YARMOUTH.

Friday: BATH (evening), CATTERICK, EPSOM (BBC), Towcester (evening), WOLVERHAMPTON.

Saturday: CHEPSTOW (evening), EPSOM (BBC), FOLKESTONE (CH4), Hexham, LINGFIELD (evening), MUSSELBURGH (CH4), Worcester.

Sunday: BRIGHTON, Hereford, Southwell.