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INDIAN PRINT: one of two potential mounts in the Mens Open for leading rider Tristan Davidson
photo: Grace Beresford

The final month of the Northern Area Point-to-Point season kicks off with Sunday's Lauderdale fixture at Mosshouses. It has attracted 99 entries for a seven race card starting at 2pm, with the main action preceded at 1pm by pony racing.

Six of the seven entries for the opening Border Hunts Club Members Race are doubly engaged. The list is headed by 2010 Mens Open scorer Lord Who, while Knocknaboul King and Marfleet are the only horses with winning form this term.

The Open Maiden Race for young horses has 17 entries, and the trio to follow could be Merry Eric, Orraloon and Toppa The Morning. The latter is slowly getting the hang of things and should make his presence felt on only his third career outing. Merry Eric shaped well when third behind Flaming Clint over a shorter trip at Tranwell last time, while Orraloon finished a never dangerous third when favourite in Miss Vivian's race at Tranwell.

Windy Hills has been a model of consistency under Callum Bewley this season, winning at Friars Haugh four weeks ago and finishing runner-up on his other four starts. The partnership can strike again in the NPPA Club Members Race from Anns Benefit and Maura My Love.

Badger Foot bypassed an engagement at last week's Fife meeting due to the firm ground and underfoot conditions will again determine his participation in the Ladies Open Race under another new rider. Of the others, Seafield Bogie ran a blinder at Corbridge a fortnight ago when only collared on the run-in by Nirvana Du Bourg, while Astyanax was another four lengths away in fifth. Tiger Billy also merits respect, following wins earlier in the campaign at Crossford and Friars Haugh.

The Restricted Race has nineteen entries and looks an ultra-competitive event on paper. Amour Daria found only one too good at Crossford and Corbridge; Hubble Bubble and One Black Cat both recorded fast times when scoring at the Braes of Derwent fixture, whilst Perellie was not beaten far when third in a similar contest at Tranwell. It Did Happen got off the mark here last year and a recent pipe-opener at Hornby Castle should have put him spot on, while first-time blinkers worked a treat for Salmon Rising at Corbridge.

Gunner Jack secured his third win of the season at Whittington on Easter Saturday and heads the eleven Mens Open entries from last year's scorer, Lord Who. Tristan Davidson, already assured of the Area Men's Jockeys Championship for the second year in a row, has a choice of rides on stable companions Indian Print and Militant.

The concluding Open Maiden Race has seventeen entries and may chiefly concern Watch The Wind, Reef Dancer and Barachois Silver. The latter was only beaten a head by Flaming Clint at Tranwell, while Reef Dancer lost nothing in defeat when three lengths second to Bafana Boy on the same card. The experienced Watch The Wind has been knocking at the door all season and must go close again.

The course is well signposted from the A68 and A7, between Galashiels and Lauder. The post code is TD1 2PG for satellite navigation users. Admission is £10 per person, including a racecard, with U16's free.

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