There are 148 entries for the Midlands Area Club Point-To-Point – Sunday 14th February 2016 at Thorpe Lodge

First race 12 noon.

The are eleven entries for the Midlands Area Club Members Race to open the card. Thetalkinghorse is a consistent performer from Gerald Bailey’s yard which is sure to be there or thereabouts. Tulsa is a nice young horse which has run won on two of its three outings so far for the Morgan/Harris team. Both are highly regarded horses.

Sixteen could start the Intermediate. Top-rated Fearthedark stands out and will be looking to improve on second place finishes on its previous two runs this season. Don’t discount Burtredgipandgump either. The horse won at Higham for in-form trainer Nick Wright. Stoleaway won last time out at Cocklebarrow and Paddycards is another to watch.

The third race on the card is the Dodson and Horrell PPORA Club Members Race for Novice Riders, with 25 entries. Guy Levinson, the national leading novice rider rides either Be Definite or Premier Portrait. Talented Jack Andrews from the Andrews dynasty rides Done a Runner. Sophie Walker rides Smiths Hill which might prefer better ground but could also be in the frame.

There are sixteen entries for The Mens Open including Sheila Crow’s Garthorpe winner Irish Anthem. Christopher Henn-trained Legal Legend is a course winner as is Diana Ralph’s Melt The Silver. Neither will mind soft ground. Another to watch here will be Nick Wright’s Patsy Finnegan, piloted by son Archie, although this one probably needs better going.

The Restricted Race at Thorpe is part of the National Subaru Restricted Series for horses that have not won any races under the rules of any recognised Racing Authority other than a Maiden or Hunt Members race. There are 50 qualifiers and this is the first in the Midlands Area this season. 22 horses are entered. Lule Kyle will be looking to go one better than second place last time out, a month ago.

Eighteen are entered for The Ladies Open but several are down for more than one race at the meeting. Angela Rucker owns and rides the prolific Sagalyrique and owns Lienosus which ran at Brocklesby last weekend. Owner/Rider Phine Banks has Horsham Lad in this race, a month after a win last time out in heavy ground at Black Forest Lodge.

The card is completed with two divisions of Open Maiden Race, each with 20 entries. Happy Ring House, ridden by Jane Williams could feature in the first division, while the second looks like a very open affair between a large number of unrated horses.

There will be bookmakers, a licensed bar, refreshments and a good selection of trade stands. Admission is £10 per person with children under-16 free. Race cards will be £3.00. E-tickets can be purchased in advance from www.midlandspointing.com/shop for £10. For all the latest information visit midlandspointing.com. There is a Midlands Point-To-Point Association Facebook page or you can follow @MidlandsPTP on Twitter.

Thorpe Lodge is 4m SW of Newark-on-Trent, nr. the A46, 5m from A1. Postcode NG23 5PY