The 2023/24 Northern Area Point-to-Point season resumes after a three week break with the West Percy fixture at the Ratcheugh Farm course near Alnwick on Sunday, January 7, where a six race card starts at 12.30pm.
Spectators should note that there will be an extended gap between the fourth and fifth races on Sunday to allow for the presentation of last season's Northern Point-to-Point Association awards.
As usual, three of the Area's 11 meetings over the next five months will take place at this popular North Northumberland venue which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2024 and has recently re-introduced 2m4f Maiden Races at the track for the first time since February 2017.
The fences will all be moved after Sunday's card to provide fresh ground for the Percy (January 28) and College Valley & North Northumberland (February 25) fixtures which both include Point-to-Point Flat Races on their programmes.
Some good fixture planning sees none of this year's scheduled meetings clash with one in Yorkshire and in a bid to attract more entries, 64 of the 72 races are open to horses from all areas.
The Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire card at Overton Farm on Saturday, March 23 has record-breaking prize money of £7,500 on offer, with no race worth less than £1,000.
After being abandoned due to frost in 2023, the Jedforest will be hoping for better luck with the weather on Sunday, January 21 when they stage the Area Feature Race for the first time, a Mixed Open with a prize fund of £1,500 which includes £1,000 to the winner.
Hunt racing enthusiasts have a feast of action in prospect over the Easter weekend with the Morpeth staging the first ever Good Friday fixture in the North, while the Tynedale rounds things off at Downhills near Corbridge on Easter Monday.
As usual, the season finale will be the Haydon at Hexham Racecourse on Saturday, May 18 where a 3m Mixed Open features on the programme for the first time alongside a 2m4f Ladies Open.
Pony racing continues to be well supported across the country and will take place before the main action starts at the Jedforest, Berwickshire, Buccleuch, Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire, Morpeth, Tynedale, Overton Races and Haydon meetings.
2024 Fixtures
Sunday, January 7: West Percy at Alnwick
Sunday, January 21: Jedforest at Kelso
Sunday, January 28: Percy at Alnwick
Sunday, February 11: Berwickshire at Kelso
Sunday, February 25: College Valley & North Northumberland at Alnwick
Saturday, March 9: Buccleuch at Kelso
Saturday, March 23: Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire at Overton Farm
Friday, March 29: Morpeth at Tranwell
Monday, April 1: Tynedale at Corbridge
Saturday, April 27: Overton Races at Overton Farm
Saturday, May 18: Haydon at Hexham Racecourse
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