Guilsborough will host the next Midlands area point-to-point fixture, the Pytchley with Woodland meeting this Sunday, 12th March.

The left-handed Guilsborough course is just off the A5199, between Creaton and Thornby in Northamptonshire (NN6 8SR), and the going is currently reported to be good, with rain forecast this week.

The afternoon’s entertainment begins at midday with pony races. These will take place one after another with the prize giving following them.

The first horse race begins at 1pm with the Goffs UK Maiden for horses of four and five years old. These races are important showcases for these "store horses" many of whom will be heading for the sales in the coming months. Four-year-old colts and geldings receive a 10lb allowance, while a four-year-old filly receives a substantial 17lb allowance. Idaho des Brosses and Back it Up are the only horses with racing experience in this lineup.

Another maiden race follows this, kindly sponsored by Billing Finance. This time the ages of the entries range from five years old to nine years old. Ultra Viers is a strong competitor in this line up, having finished second to Santon in the 2m 4f Quorn Hunter Chase at Leicester last week, but there are horses representing nearly all the country's top trainers in this field, and a couple coming straight from racing under rules.

The Restricted race is sponsored by Mr and Mrs Christopher Latilla-Campbell and has eleven entries. Captain Biggles won at Garthorpe last time out under Jack Andrews and is ridden here by his sister, Gina. Jack rides one of Champagne Glory (for the sponsors), Classic Ruler for Claire and Jennifer Knight and Stuart Morris, or Penniless for Nigel Padfield, Bloodstone has two seconds on his last two runs, while Paddy Barlow is booked to ride Surprise Attack for Jon Barlow and Lottie Covell. Runwiththetide is a mare who comes to race between the flags for the first time after a career in hurdling. Da Boy Charlie, Duntish and Karismatik are all looking for a jump in form.

We are grateful to Berrys for their sponsorship of an interesting looking Mixed Open race, the feature race of the day, with ten entered. In form trainer David Kemp has Rebel Dawn Rising in this, making his seasonal debut under Dale Peters and sure to be a contender. Fergal O'Brien's runner, Sir Jack Yeats, was second in a Kelso hunter chase on his last outing and is improving with every run. Alex Chadwick has the choice of two East Anglian rides in Ragnar Lodbrok, a first season pointer with an open win under his belt, and Rock on Rocco, a winner last time out in a Club Members at Higham. Dundrum Wood represents the Tom Ellis stable, fresh from a win in the Ladies Open at Alnwick in February. Alan Hill-trained Diplomate Sivola should never be ignored, Ben Sutton rides. Rizzardo is a recent convert to the pointing circuit, having raced under rules for Nigel Twiston-Davies, and he hunted round to a sixth place in their first run at Kingston Blount at the end of February. Verity Taylor rides for her mother, owner and trainer Phillippa Taylor.

If Castle Trump runs in the open, he will be looking to cement his place in open company with an improvement on fifth last time, but he also has an entry into the Level 2 Conditions race which follows, kindly sponsored by The Hawthorns. If they choose the open then jockey Charles Buckle has and entry with Josh The Plod here instead. Others with multiple entries include Ragnar Lodbrok and Rock on Rocco, both with Alex Chadwick in the plate. Jack Andrews will ride either Golden Tobouggan for Julie Wadland or Meetuatnine for Stuart Morris and Julie Marriott. Dale Peter may find himself riding How To Get Away for David Kemp against a horse he trains in Fixe Le Kap, ridden by Lucy Wheeler. Bradley Gibbs rides and trains Honey I'm Good, a winner this season and the beneficiary of a 7lb allowance for being a mare. Tom Ellis trains Fairly Famous, with consecutive wins in a maiden and restricted this season and Gina Andrews on board. Flaminger is a multiple winner under rules but makes his debut here in point-to-points for Heidi Brookshaw and owner/rider Daniel Cherriman.

The last formal race of the day is the Sibbertoft Manor Conditions race (Level 3), with fourteen entries. The New Kid is likely to be well-backed, ridden and trained by Dale Peters for Liz Inman and Tim Tarratt. Others who could feature include Oldgrangewood trained by Alan Hill, Neumond trained by Stuart Morris, Hung Jury for Francesca Poste, General Custard for David Bingham, Forest Chimes for Philip Rowley, Barrack Hill for Jon Barlow and Flying Colum for Luke Price. King Cnut makes his point-to-point debut here, having won under rules over chase fences.

E-tickets are still available on the Midlands Pointing website, or you can pay on the day at the gate. Children under 16 are admitted free of charge. Guilsborough always has a good selection of trade stands and food outlets, including a licensed bar. Dogs are, of course, welcome, as long as they are kept on a lead at all times.