The Northern Area Point-to-Point season gets back on track after a five week break with the Jedforest fixture at Friars Haugh, Kelso on Sunday 19th January.
Kindly supported by Kelso and Musselburgh Racecourses, it has attracted 91 entries, a total not matched here since 2015, on a seven race card which starts at 12.30pm.
The opening 3m J A Wilson Contractors and A & S Clarkson Engineering Maiden Race has 14 entries and provides a gilt-edged opportunity for The Village Way. He brings some decent form to the table having already finished runner-up twice this season, most recently when beaten eight lengths by Slaney Opera at Alnwick on his first outing for Alice Dawson's yard. Of the others, She Is The Enemy enters calculations if reproducing the form shown at Friars Haugh (4th) and Overton (2nd) last season, Notnowbob stayed on from two out when fifteen lengths 5th to Slaney Opera at Alnwick and is open to further improvement, Where's Willy should come on a lot for his first run over fences in last month's Alnwick Restricted, while another one to note is Arctic Oscar's half-brother Maltese Joe who had obviously been showing plenty at home in his previous yard as he was sent off favourite on debut at Dunsmore in November 2023 but trailed in 5th behind Disco Davis and might need the run on his comeback outing for Tom Greenwood.
The 2m4f R & B Painters and Gillon Bloodstock Maiden Race (14 entries) may chiefly concern Deerstalker, debutante Eagle Rare, Hollywood Harmon, Monrocco Moonlight and Trust Me Nate. Slight preference is for well related 5-year-old Wings of Eagles mare Eagle Rare who represents the in-form Warwickshire yard of Gina Andrews and carries the colours of former Northern Area jockey Robert Robinson. 106-rated chaser/hurdler Deerstalker has joined Kate Mactaggart's yard since finishing five-and-a-half lengths 4th over this trip in a Uttoxeter Chase six months ago and it's also worth noting he would have won a 2m4f Shelfield Park Maiden on debut for Philip Rowley in March 2023 had he not fallen at the last. Hollywood Harmon finished eight lengths 5th to the useful Willewonga in a 2m5f Cartmel Maiden Hunters' Chase last May and a repeat of that effort would put her right in the mix, Monrocco Moonlight has joined Joe Hill's yard since finishing five lengths 2nd in a 3m Tattersalls Farm Maiden on October 27 and is expected to go close under champion jockey James King, while Trust Me Nate might well have won last season's 2m4f Buccleuch Maiden had he not been hampered by a loose horse approaching two out.
The 15 entries for the 2m4f Harbro (PPORA) Ladies Open Race are headed by Diable De Sivola. Having led from the off in last month's Ratcheugh Racing Club Mixed Open, Jesika Rennie's mount was still four lengths up four out when carried out by a loose horse and dropping back in trip shouldn't be an issue. Course winner Fightfortheroses has shown his best form on a sound surface, Kingrullah led at the last when beating Killer Clown by two lengths in an Alnwick Conditions Race over this trip last month, while evergreen 14-year-old Vivas goes well fresh and was only beaten a head by Ballydonagh Boy first time out at Overton last March. Of the long distance raiders, prolific Pointing winner Loughan and 127-rated hurdler Music Drive are also entered at Revesby Park on Saturday, while Precious Bounty won a three runner Grass Roots Riders Conditions Race at Badbury Rings nine weeks ago.
The 3m4f £1500 'Jockeys & Trainers Supporting Point-to-Points' Mixed Open, with £1000 to the winner, is the longest and most valuable race staged at the Friars Haugh course since it opened in March 1953. The full list of 15 trainers and 15 jockeys sponsoring this Area Feature Race are: Trainers - Nick Alexander, George Bewley, Daragh Bourke, Susan Corbett, James Ewart, Alison Hamilton, Rebecca Menzies, Katie Scott, Mike Smith, Jackie Stephen, Sandy Thomson, Simon Waugh, Donald Whillans, Ewan Whillans and Willie Young. Jockeys - Callum Bewley, Jonathon Bewley, Henry Brooke, Ross Chapman, Sam Coltherd, Derek Fox, Jamie Hamilton, Brian Hughes, Bruce Lynn, Ryan Mania, Nathan Moscrop, Craig Nichol, Gavin Sheehan, Patrick Wadge and Amie Waugh.
Proven stayer Wild Romance comes here at the top of his game having already landed Mixed Opens at Hexham and Alnwick with a bit in hand and is fancied to defy a 5lb penalty under Shay Halton. Gloucestershire raider Boss Man Fred is expected to go well on his reappearance under James King, the extended trip should suit Cool Desire and Red Opium, 150-rated chaser Dusart is also entered at Revesby Park on Saturday, Oxfordshire raider Learntalot who ended last season on a high by landing the 2m6f Stratford Restricted Hunters' Chase Final would be a first Friars Haugh ride for champion jockey Izzie Hill, while this stamina test should bring out the best in West Lawn.
A case can be made for many of the 13 entries in a competitive-looking 3m Marsh Riddell Gibson Restricted Race. The quintet with the benefit of a recent outing in their lockers are For One Night Only, Jullou De Grissay, Shantou's Temple, Slaney Opera and Something Golden. James King's mount Jullou De Grissay got up in the final strides to land a Horseheath Maiden on December 31 and could have more to offer, while the same sentiment applies to impressive Alnwick Maiden scorer Slaney Opera. Last season's Berwickshire Maiden winner Something Golden was placed on his reappearance at Hexham, while For One Night Only and Shantou's Temple finished 4th at Alnwick and Hexham respectively. Main Stage, Surprise Attack, Torngat and Whats The Solution also merit consideration in a tricky puzzle for punters to solve.
Not The Chablis makes most appeal in the 3m Jockey Club & Rowley Mile Equine Conditions Race for Grass Roots Riders. Jess Jubb's mount was placed at Overton and Hexham last season, and shaped well on his reappearance when fourteen lengths 6th to Kingrullah over a shorter trip at Alnwick, Foxinthebox landed a 3m1f Huntingdon Maiden Hurdle for Olly Murphy in May 2022, while Humps And Bumps and Raecius Felix both found only one too good on their final starts at Hexham last season.
Eagles Rock is taken to get back in a winning groove in the concluding 3m Turnbull & Scott and Midburn Construction Scottish Hunts Conditions Race. Mike Cregan's charge came from off the pace to record impressive victories at Overton and Corbridge last season but didn't act on the heavy ground when 7th on his reappearance at Hexham seven weeks ago. Western Run, a dual Overton Mixed Open winner in 2023, and Bintheredonethat are back in calmer waters here, the drop in class could rejuvenate Annie Magic and Chameron, while Shantou Moon was not disgraced when 6th in a quality Mixed Open at Alnwick.
As usual, the main action will be preceded by pony racing from 11.30am, with 8 entries for the 138cm contest and 9 entries for the 148cm contest.
Admission is £10 per person, with under 16's free (Cash only).
The Friars Haugh course lies adjacent to the A699, less than half-a-mile west of Kelso, and the post code is TD5 8LT.