After the disappointing cancellation of the Pytchley meeting at Guilsborough on 12th March, Midlands Point-to-point racing returns to Garthorpe this Sunday for the Belvoir meeting.

The clocks will have gone forward early on Sunday morning so the first race is at 2pm.

All traffic heading for Garthorpe should be aware that on Sunday 26th there is also a cycle race in the area which has been allowed to close the road between Melton Mowbray and Stapleford (the main approach to Garthorpe from the West) between 1045am and 11.30am. We will post a map of the race course on our social media channels but it is worth noting that the organisers assure us that any road closures will be limited to a maximum of 10-15 minutes.

Racing gets underway with a Hunt Members race sponsored by W. Spence and Son. There are three horses entered with a Belvoir entry leading the ratings in the form of Barrack Hill. This eleven-year-old gelding is owned by Judith and Barrie Holt and trained in the Vale by Jonathan Barlow. His last run in point-to-points was at Sheriff Hutton last April when he won the restricted race on similar ground. Also flying the flag for the Belvoir is Chahuteur, trained just down the road from Garthorpe by Kelly Morgan for John Chatfeild-Roberts. Also, eleven this season, he's only completed two of his four starts. Square Viviani challenges these from the Cottesmore country, where he is trained by Becky Smith for Ryder and Alex Sugden. He's only had one race between the flags, in which he came fourth of nine.

There are five horses entered for the Fairfax Saddles Restricted race. Bloodstone is trained by owner James Henderson and has had two second place finishes this season. Latenightrumble is the next exciting Late Night progeny from the Ellis family, hoping to make the jump to intermediate on his third run. Phil Lutman owns and trains Kostantina which will have a 7lb mare's allowance but hasn't been seen yet this season. Lies About Milan makes the trip from the Cotswolds and Derek Smith brings Worth Presenting from Shropshire for Bart Ryan-Beswick.

There is plenty of recent form in the line up for the Intermediate race, next on the card, kindly sponsored by Roythornes. Ballinagore represents in-form trainer David Kemp having won well here at Garthorpe on his last outing. Alex Chadwick gets the ride. Newly crowned "World's Tallest Jockey" has options in this race, in the form of All Is True for the Ellis team, with two wins this season already, and Meetuatnine, trained by Stuart Morris for Julie Marriott, a winner last time at Horseheath. Foxhunters winner Bradley Gibbs trains and rides mare Honey I'm Good who is sure to feature. Lagan Valley is in very good shape for Julie Wadland, with two wins from four starts this season - a very promising six-year-old. Frisson Collonges is one of two entries for James Henderson, another horse to win last time at Larkhill. The other Henderson-trained horse entered is Bloodstone, also entered in the first.

The Ineos Grenadier Mixed Open is the feature race of the day, and part of the National Series. Top-rated of the ten entries is Caryto des Brosses, a high class hunter/pointer who is very difficult to beat on the right day. His first outing this season produced a win in the Southwell Hunter Chase on 6th March for trainer David Kemp. Badbad Leroy Brown hasn't yet run this season but has form on this course, having won the mixed open here two years ago on quicker ground. Tom Ellis-trained Jetaway Joey, with wins in two of his three runs as a pointer, is likely to be the mount of Jack Andrews, while Midlands Championship leading jockey and trainer Dale Peters will be on Rebel Dawn Rising, another useful hunter/pointer. Mr Snuffles will represent Laura Richardson and be another to watch, along with First Drift and Homme d'Un Soir.

The first of two maidens is next, kindly sponsored by Skelton Farms and Ponton Grange Liveries. This maiden is over three miles and without age allowances for the younger horses. All these horses are yet to win a race but some to have a look at include Mount Pleasant for the Wright family; Mugs of Champagne and Sleek 'n' Chic, both trained by Bradley Gibbs; Blackjacktennessee, from the yard of Philip Rowley, and The Pier Field, for Andrew Pennock. Nick Wright's Money Spinner is an ex-chaser who was unluckily brought down in his first outing in point-to-points.

The Chandlers Country Stores Conditions race, our penultimate of the day, is a stayers race over 3 miles 6 furlongs for horses of six years and over and has seven entries. Sugar Baron is owned and trained by Nick Wright and was fourth on his only trip this season. G&T Racing are represented by Bawnmore (Jack Andrews) who won at Horseheath in December. First Drift could choose this over the open.

To end the afternoon's racing we have the Teigh Old Rectory Bed and Breakfast 2 mile 4 furlong maiden which does offer weight allowances for the younger horses. As as result, four of the entries will carry 14lb less than their rivals. Mugs of Champagne and Sleek 'n' Chic have second entries here so we should assume that one will run in each race. Six horses here have no point-to-point form at all, but one of those, Horizon Dove, was second on her last two runs as under rules. Tom Ellis has two entries here for Pep Talking, second on his only outing, and Wicked Thoughts, making his racecourse debut.

We look forward to seeing you at Garthorpe on Sunday. Tickets can be purchased in advance from our website midlandspointing.com, or from garthorpe.com. You can also pay on the gate with cash or card. Children under 16 are free. Dogs are welcome but please keep them on a lead. You can even enter them into our dog show!