The Northern Area Point-to-Point circuit makes a welcome return to Tranwell for only the second time since 2019 on Saturday 29th March for the Morpeth fixture which has attracted 83 entries on a seven-race card and starts at 1.30pm.
The Members Race has 7 entries and should chiefly concern West Lawn, Slaney Opera and Something Golden. Proven stayer West Lawn (7lb penalty) has been a model of consistency this term and, back down in grade, looks to have found an ideal opportunity to add to her College Valley victory. The main danger is Slaney Opera who has won two of his four starts for Joe Wright including the Buccleuch Restricted three weeks ago in which Something Golden finished two lengths third.
The 2m4f Maiden Race has 26 entries and will be divided on the day if declarations exceed the safety factor of 16. The unraced quintet comprises Laura Morgan's well related mare Annie McGrath, Gina Andrews-trained four-year-olds Le Roi Remi and Outmaster, Jack Teal-trained Wherearethejudges and John Dawson's mount Out On Her Own. Of those with experience, Alnwick Flat Race winner Fayrely Faithful did little wrong when one length 2nd to Theoldboggroad over a longer trip at Friars Haugh, High On The Hill hasn't been seen since chasing home Carlenrig on heavy ground at Hexham on December 1, Jardin Carre, Park Hind and Phantoms Cave were beaten a maximum of five lengths when placed last time out, while Lets Go Harry landed a Revesby Park Flat Race on debut ten weeks ago and Jack Teal's mount is sure to have done plenty of schooling over fences.
The 11 entries for the 2m4f Ladies Open Race are headed by Buster Valentine who won all 4 completed Pointing starts last season and had just hit the front when unseating three out in the Charm Park equivalent on his reappearance four weeks ago. This trip is ideal for dual Friars Haugh Ladies Open scorer Diable De Sivola, locally trained Killer Clown finished seven lengths 4th to Diable De Sivola in the Jedforest equivalent on January 19, Gina Andrews can choose between prolific winners Latenightfumble and Loughan with the former having been off the track for almost twenty two months, while Midlands raider Somptueux also enters calculations if recapturing the form shown in Ireland at his peak in 2021 when winning off a mark of 132.
Buster Valentine and Diable De Sivola also figure among the 10 entries for the 3m Mixed Open Race. Paramaribo produced a season's best effort at Overton when only beaten a head by Western Run in a good time and should again be in the mix, Cash Again returned from a lengthy lay-off to land the Buccleuch equivalent three weeks ago, Fightfortheroses has always shown his best form on a sound surface, while recent Hutton Rudby scorer Loughermore who is also entered in the Members and PPORA Conditions Races would have 7lb less to carry if taking up the Mixed Open option.
The aforementioned Cash Again and Killer Clown are joint top-rated in the 3m PPORA Conditions Race (12 entries), in which Fightforfortheroses and Latenightfumble are also double-entered. Fugitives Drift's best form has come over a shorter trip, Not The Chablis scored at the Jedforest and College Valley meetings with a bit in hand and could have more to offer, while Tanora got her season back on track when placed at Hutton Rudby and Overton.
Former Henry Hogarth-trained chaser Mance Rayder heads the 8 entries for the 3m Grass Roots Riders Conditions Race, however it's been a while between drinks as the last of his four wins under Rules came at Kelso in May 2021. Frankies Fire must go close if reproducing the form shown when eight lengths 2nd to Not The Chablis at Alnwick on February 23, Cellar Vie finished seven lengths 4th to Largy Shark at Dalton Park last Sunday, while lightly raced Blue Indigo would have finished a close second to The Village Way at Friars Haugh had they not clipped heels on the run-in.
The concluding 2m Flat Race has 9 entries, including a quartet of debutants. Of those with experience, Midnight Dragon and Black Aquila finished a distant 6th and 9th respectively behind Royal Maggs in last month's College Valley equivalent, Red Dart (2nd) and And Aye Lad (5th) were beaten six lengths and twenty one lengths respectively in the Bangor-on-Dee equivalent earlier this month, while Rose Du Berlais, who receives up to 14lb from seven of her eight possible rivals finished nine lengths 6th to Appy Chappy in the Duncombe Park equivalent six weeks ago. Cal Ok would be one of the meeting's longest travellers if making the trip from Luca Morgan's yard, while the other newcomers are locally trained Conosur, Scairp Dubh (by Scorpion) and She's A Dinger (by Telescope).
As usual, the main action is preceded by pony racing with a total of 13 entries for the two contests.
Admission is £15 per person, with under 16's free.
The Tranwell course is located about 3 miles SW of Morpeth and is signposted off the B6524. The post code is NE61 6BG.