THE Sinnington point-to-point takes place on Sunday at picturesque Duncombe Park, by kind permission of The Duncombe Family.

Alongside the seven-race card, hot food will be served throughout the day including a hog roast and a licensed bar in a heated marquee, which will no doubt prove popular with racegoers. The action begins at 12.30pm and a total of 109 entries have been received. Admission is £10 and postcode for Sat Nav is YO62 5EB.

The opening race is the Hunt Members race and every year the Sarah Easterby team hold a strong hand, Things Change is likely to be the winner after a very prolific season last year although his main danger could be Young Hurricane from the Guy Brewer yard. Former top point to point rider, Brewer could come out of retirement to take the ride, better ground would suit him but he can go close. Alta Rock was a good third on his point debut and can build on that, whilst Bertie Hayton will be hoping to make the frame on only her fourth ride aboard her own Over And Above.

Selection – Thing’s Change

The Confined race is a wide open event; Bedford Forrest looked very promising last season and will be hoping to get his career back on track after some below par efforts, Cara Court and Code Blue both have the ability to be competitive but also have their own ideas and should be watched with caution “Code Blue seems to be well but definitely has his own mind!” said Fiona Needham. Colorado Kid likes fast ground whilst Comedinewithme loves it soft and will have come on for her recent debut at Sheriff Hutton. Dance Of Time was a strong traveller until tiring close home after a lengthy absence, he would be a hot prospect in the Restricted but the bounce factor should be considered after returning from such a long break.

Max My Boy continues to improve and his recent third behind subsequent hunter chase runner up Carlton Ryan would give him leading claims. Peter From Paris is one to keep note of, he had some useful form in Ireland and made an encouraging debut after an absence, he is lightly raced and could have more to give “He has come out of his race at Sheriff Hutton really well” said rider Jess Gillam. Shantou Prince comes here after a good season last year, Christy Furness gets on well with him and the partnership should go well; however the horse has a 6lb penalty to carry. The Highlander can go well but requires a stiff test and soft ground. Jacqueline Coward said “He is well, although he may miss Duncombe Park and go to Corbridge at the end of the month.” Solid Strike did very well last season and was a strong finishing fourth at Cheltenham on hunter chase evening, a repeat of that would see him win.

Selection - Solid Strike

The Subaru Restricted race is another which could go to any number of entrants, recent Thorpe winner Aldergale blazed a trail out in front that day and may not get an easy lead now up in grade. Game As A Pheasant made a pleasing return last time and is well thought of by connections, however it could be stablemate Path To Freedom who takes the honours after striding clear at Sheriff Hutton in decent style. Dance Of Time was a dual bumper winner and contested the champion bumper at Aintree, he travelled as if the easier track will suit and looks the main threat. Mickey Miller is another with a chance for Jack Jordan but may find a couple too good.

Selection - Dance Of Time

The Mixed Open could see the return of Classinaglass, he was a useful recruit for the Easterby’s and enjoyed a successful career under rules, and he has now joined Mary Sowersby’s team. It will be interesting to see how he runs for his new yard. Ivan Boru returned from a lay off and led till three out at Alnwick, he is likely to of benefited from that effort and can go well. Newspage was a decent pointer who showed his best form on fast ground, but he has performed at a very low level under rules since and now returns to the point field. Peter From Paris would have good claims, whilst Royal Deal is a strong finisher but has a tendency to tail himself off early on. Shannon Silver is on the upgrade and could fill the frame; however the mains contenders look to consist of Things Change, likely pacemaker The Highlander, Young Hurricane and Six A Side who ended last season with an impressive

win in a Kelso Novice hunter chase “He’s in great form and he’s won at this meeting the last two seasons so hope he can go well.” commented trainer Emma Todd. Another who will be making his point debut is Victor Hewgo, a five time winner who has a current chase mark of 128 and could be worth noting.

Selection -The Highlander

The Club Members is a race for Novice and Veteran riders, for the veteran riders Double Dan and Susan Ward would have leading claims, Double Dan has only had one start on points however it was a winning one, whilst Royal Benefit is a restricted winner and could give David Coates a good run. Some of the more experienced novice riders include Rory Bevin who is in excellent form at the moment and could partner My Dads Horse who was a winner for this rider last season, Jack Andrews is another with plenty of experience and could partner any one of the Coward string, but it looks like

Strongpoint could take the charge; he was a decent performer over 2 miles in Ireland in recent years performing to marks in the 130’s and finished 9 lengths behind The New One in a Grade 2 hurdle back in 2015. Muirhead is another former top class Irish pointer but hasn’t been seen to the same effect recently whilst Shannon Silver can give the main contenders something to think about.

Selection - Strongpoint

The final race is the Open Maiden race and has been split to provide a 7 race card, in division one

Andy Nicholls hold two entrants, Benton’s Lad has the most recent form, whilst stablemate Not Far

Wrong was a staying on fifth on debut at Thorpe and should have more to give. Hunt Politics went well for a long way at Sheriff Hutton and can go well with that effort under his belt. Monsun Storm has form in Ireland but was disappointing on his British debut, whilst Rock N’Stones is a former Irish

hurdler, he is related to several point winners he’s doing everything right at home and we’re hoping for a good run” said trainer Emma Todd.

Selection - Hunt Politics

Division two of the Maiden race looks likely to go the way of Crazy Penguin if he runs again after finishing a desperately close second at Alnwick last Sunday. The main contender is Dibble

Bridge, he was placed numerous times last year and it wouldn’t take much for him to take this, whilst Monarch’s Glory was close up till three out at Sheriff and can hopefully build on that. Sundae Best clearly has ability but isn’t getting any younger at 13 and Our JJ is one to note for the future as he is brother to decent pointer Bramble Vodka from a yard that can ready one.

Selection - Crazy Penguin