The 2023/24 Point-to-Point season was one of the most challenging in recent memory for fixture organisers with waterlogged ground resulting in a record number of abandonments across the country, including five Northern Area cards (Alnwick two, Hexham, Tranwell and Kelso).

The eight Northern Area meetings which did go ahead were all well supported in terms of both runners and spectators. A total of 396 runners produced a healthy average of 49.5 per meeting and 7.61 per race, the highest figures in the country and the best in the North for a decade.

Mindrum-based Nick Orpwood, 36, claimed the Hexham Auction Mart Ltd Men's Jockeys Championship for the fourth time, finishing a single point ahead of last season's champion Lyall Hodgins, with James Innes in third. Incisive won twice at Overton under Orpwood and Ronnie Bartlett's progressive six-year-old gelding is now set to be campaigned under Rules from Nicky Henderson's yard.

Selkirk amateur Amy Coltherd clinched the Perth Racecourse Ladies' Jockeys Championship for the first time, finishing two points ahead of last season's champion Natasha Cookson, with Lucy Brown in third.

Eloise Justice-Vose, who works for Galston-based dual purpose trainer Mike Smith, landed the NPPA Novice Riders' Championship in her debut season after being placed six times on Bintheredonethat. She finished four points ahead of another debutante Abi Reid, with Jess Jubb and William Hamilton a further two points away in third place.

Coltherd's mount Oscar Wilde, who scored at Corbridge and Overton in consecutive weeks in April, finished three points ahead of Eagles Rock in the George F. White Champion Horse standings, and might still be well handicapped if reappearing under Rules along with stable companion Batman For Ever.

The aforementioned Mike Cregan-trained Eagles Rock won the Northern Area Novice Horse title, while She Is The Enemy topped the final standings for the leading mare.

The Buccleuch Arms, St Boswells Hunt Awards were appropriately won by the Duke of Buccleuch's (36pts), with the Morpeth (27pts) and Jedforest (26pts) filling the minor placings.

Jack Teal hit the jackpot at the sales with his first time out Tynedale Maiden winners Kalypso'chance and Ira Hayes who changed hands shortly afterwards for £85,000 and £56,000 respectively, while his Haydon Maiden winner Wotnowcato was sold for £20,000 less than a week after his victory at Hexham.

The Northern Area Awards Evening takes place at the Tynedale Function Suite, Hexham Mart on Friday 28th June, with more details on the Northern Area Point to Point Facebook Page.

Subject to final confirmation, next season's Northern Area pre-Christmas fixtures will be the Border at Hexham Racecourse (December 1) and Ratcheugh Racing Club at Alnwick (December 15).