THE Haydon Point-to-Point has again attracted strong entries.

For the total of 117 riders is the highest total for any fixture in the Northern Area since the corresponding meeting in 2016.

Sunday’s seven race programme at Hexham Racecourse starts at 2pm, and follows two pony races which are off at 1pm.

For the second year running, the meeting hosts the area’s feature race, the Gary Hall Building Men’s Open, with a total prize fund of £1,500. The prize of £1,000 for the winner makes it one of the most valuable contests between the flags in the UK this season.

In a high quality list, nine of the 24 entries are rated 100 or above and includes horses from Alan Hill’s Oxfordshire yard and Mickey Bowen’s Pembrokeshire stable entered at Hexham for the first time.

The highest rated Northern Area entries are Cave Hunter, who broke the course record last year, Klephy, who was an impressive scorer at Tranwell last month, and ex-chaser Top Cat Henry.

The pick of the Yorkshire entries are proven stayer One Conemara, the consistent Six A Side and Sposalizio.

The opening Club Members Conditions Race has 24 entries, including three potential long distance raiders in Againn Dul Aghaidh, from Cheshire, Quick Oats, from Essex, and Ravethebrave, from Oxfordshire.