THE first point-to-point in the Yorkshire Area gets under way at Sheriff Hutton on Sunday January with the first race at noon.

The meeting has already been postponed twice due to the weather, but with the forecast for the week looking warm enough the team do not anticipate any problems. Proceeds go to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

A total of 122 entries have been received for the six-race card and the biggest field of the day looks like it could come in the Barry Woodhouse builders Open Maiden race, which has 35 entries.

The first race is the Chris Hoggard Memorial Club Members Conditions Race, for horses that have not won a race, other than a point-to-point or a hunter chase.

There are a lot of consistent horses among the 15 entries but the race looks like it could go the way of My Old Piano, who won his maiden race at this course in 2009 and has progressed to much greater things.

White Rose Saddlery will be presenting a memento to the winning owner and rider and will have a stand on the day supplying riders and trainers with any equipment they need.

The Conniston Hotel Mens’ Open race has a couple of newcomers but Oedipe looks to be a strong contender, having won the open at the Burton meeting at North Carlton on Sunday.

Eliza Doalott will give him something to think about, but she does usually improve for her first run of the season.

The women’s equivalent, sponsored by Equiform Nutrition has received 14 entries.

Spellchecker gave a good account of himself at Alnwick on Sunday and is likely to improve for the run.

Farther Murtagh was successful at this level last year and should give another good account but the winner is likely to be Narciso for the Coward team.

Admission is £10 per person including a racecard and the course will be signed from the A64. The Jim Clare trophy will be presented for the best race of the day. Other sponsors include Sawfish Software who are sponsoring the Restricted and Time Dewhirst is sponsoring the Novice Riders race.

Viewing is excellent given that the course is located at the bottom of a hill and the social side of the point-to-point is likely to be as strong as the action on the course. The postcode for satellite navigation is YO60 7TN.