The Fernie will host their annual Point Point fixture on Sunday, the 8th of May, at Dingley Racecourse, on the A427 just outside Market Harborough in Leicestershire.

As usual there will be a plethora of trade stands and amusements of all sorts, caterers, a licensed bar and bookmakers.

This meeting hosts six races including the Feature Race for the whole Midlands area, the Fernie Four-Miler, which will be the third race, at 3.10pm. This has attracted a quality field of nine entrants this year, including Sir Mangan, trained by Alan Hill for Nick Sutton, and Mr Love, owned and trained by Nick Pearce - both of these have multiple wins this season. The Hill/Sutton team might choose to race Diplomate Sivola, another capable pointer with a win this season. Gerald Bailey trains Early Retirement in this one, while Annabel England owns and trains recent winner Robin Why Not. If Aunty Joan starts for the Pringuers, then she would have a seven-pound weight advantage.

The first race of the day is an Owner/Trainer PPORA Club Members race which has seven entries, including the previously mentioned Aunty Joan, who would again get a weight allowance. Top-rated here, though, is His Excellency, a veteran pointer trained by Michael Dawson. Hurricane Vic won last time out at Easingwold for Simon Robinson and Cotswold raider First Drift will be looking to repeat their recent win at Mollington for the Kendricks. The Dawson team have Braavos entered here too.

The Novice Riders race at our last meeting at Dingley, the Pytchley with Woodland, produced an impressive victory for Ellie Callwood riding Precious Bounty. The combination is entered again for the equivalent race at this fixture, looking to make it six wins on the run. Another with good recent form is Dream Conti, trained by Kelly Morgan for John Chatfeild-Roberts, while Grageelagh Girl has two second placed finished this season in points. Commanche Red would be travelling a long way for his second run between the flags which might be a good sign. Travelling less far is the Francesca Poste-trained Summer Sounds, a winner on his penultimate outing.

After the Four-Miler is the Restricted race, for horses with one win in points so far. Winning momentum is often a good sign in point-to-point racing and five of these horses won their last race, including one, My Uncas, who won it beating Volnay de Thaix on this track just a couple of weeks ago at the Easter Saturday meeting. Gina Andrews rides Young Rich in this one for husband Tom Ellis.

The highest-rated horse in the Veteran Horse Conditions race, next, is His Excellency, mentioned above with reference to the first race in which they are also entered. Many of these entries also have options in other races so we will have to wait to see where they declare on the day to see our line up for this one.

The last race is a Maiden race for horses yet to win between the flags, and four of these entrants are making their racecourse debut. Of those with some form the ones to mention might be Doctor Tom, Friary Land and Ontherunagain.

Entry at the gate will be £15 with under 16s admitted free of charge. The tickets are also available online from the Midlands Pointing website. Well-behaved dogs are welcome as always, as long as they are kept on a lead.