The eagerly anticipated first meeting at the new course set out by the South Wold at Revesby Park, takes place on Saturday, 11th March; 64 entries have been taken for a six race card starting at 12noon.

Owner Milson Robinson, who rode at the old course at Revesby Park that closed 40 years ago, will be hoping that his Hurricane Vic can land the opening Maiden race sponsored by Glyn Trundle, Farrier. This seven year old has been runner up on three occasions now and with his rider Tom Strawson in form following a winner at Charm Park on Sunday maybe this will be his opportunity to open his account. The biggest challenge is likely to come from another horse that has been knocking on the door; Crazy Penguin for Will Easterby. The leading Yorkshire rider likes a visit to Lincolnshire and recently won the Mixed Open at Brocklesby with Monsieur Jourdain.

Gleadell Agriculture have kindly sponsored the Club Members’ race for Novice riders. Derek Pugh’s Irish Anthem could make the journey from Sheila Crow’s Shropshire base; this nine year old is in form having been second on his latest start and will be able to act on the ground which is likely to be on the soft side of good. The Highlander is a class horse, he will carry a 4lb penalty for a win in the Sinnington Mixed Open a few weeks ago and shouldn’t be far away if he lines up. The first three riders will score points for the Harley National Novice Riders’ Championship.

The feature race; the D&M Barthorpe Mixed Open has attracted a quality entry and the winning horse will be eligible to run in the Timico Mixed Open Final Hunter Chase at Cheltenham in May, the first two horses will qualify for the Skinner’s Ladies’ Open Final Hunter Chase at Stratford in June. Robert and Sam Waley -Cohen could run Anquetta; a 13 year old who amassed over £66000 in prize money under rules, won nicely at Larkhill in December. Sheila Crow’s mare Fruit Fayre could make her seasonal debut with Paddy Gerety in the saddle; she has won 17 point- to- points plus a Hunter Chase, she is game and will take some beating. Cork Citizen won’t have to travel far to get to the course from Mike Dawson’s Grainthorpe stables. The former David Pipe trained gelding made a pleasing point- to- point debut when finishing third at Brocklesby a few weeks ago and should go close.

Gerald Bailey’s yard is in top form currently and could run the lightly raced I Wonder Why in the Mixed Open, however, he has a number of easier options including the Witham Oil Intermediate race. This race, a qualifier for the Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate Hunter Chase Final at Cheltenham in May, could be a re-match between the Waley-Cohen’s Facile Bien and Robin De Boss. When the pair last met at Thorpe Facile Bien narrowly beat Robin De Boss in the Restricted. Since then Robin De Boss, trained for the Strangely Browne Partnership by Tommy Morgan, has been second again and won a Club Members’ race at Garthorpe; it will be interesting to see how they have both improved. Another to consider is the progressive 7 year old Superior Fire, trained by Fred Hutsby.

The Restricted race is sponsored by the NFU (Spilsby Philip Odling) and could go to Roger Jackson’s Lord Golan. Jackson, whose red and green colours are being carried very successfully under rules by former point- to- pointer Gonalston Cloud, has this 9 year old in good form with a second at Garthorpe at the end of February. Brocklesby Mares’ Maiden winner Demood could also line up and Joan Tice’s mare Teeton Power is likely to make the running. Sisco Kid would be a very popular winner for Mark and Pat Barthorpe who have been instrumental in the venture to put down this new course. A repetition of his form when second at Tabley at the end of last season could see him go close. The winning horse will qualify for the Subaru Restricted Hunter Chase Final at Stratford in June.

Racing concludes at 2.55pm with the PPORA Club Members’ race sponsored by Maltings Off Road Ltd. Gerald Bailey could hold the aces here with either I Wonder Why or Ignite a Light while Will Easterby’s Kings Lodge is another to consider.

There will be a good range of trade stands in the shopping village and the course is in a beautiful parkland setting; it will be a superb day out. Entrance is £10 per person. The course at Revesby is situated close to the A155 and is well sign posted. The post code for Satellite Navigation systems is PE22 7NB.