THE annual Tynedale Point-to-Point fixture will return to the Downhills course near Corbridge on Sunday.

A seven race card featuring the 3m5f men’s open for the William Bell Memorial Gold Cup has attracted 98 entries.

Preceding the main programme at 11.30am, there will be two pony races with four entries for the 138cm contest over four-and-a-half furlongs, and eight entries for the 148cm race over six furlongs.

This season’s dual Alnwick Ladies Open scorer, Winged Crusader, heads the 16 entries for the opening conditions race.

Of the others, Shantou Magic won impressively at the Border meeting in early December, while Lord Usher has been very consistent for Kate Leckenby in the last two years.

There are 21 entries in the open maiden race for four to seven-year-olds. Classified Daytime looks like the one to beat after twice finishing runner-up in this grade in November.

Just Don’t Know was only beaten a couple of lengths on debut at Friars Haugh last month, while Just Jerry and The Silver Prince have scope for improvement.

The dark horses are Peter Fahey’s unraced four-year-olds, One For Dunstan and Tom O’Roughley.

The highest rated entries in the ladies open race (17 entries) include in-form stable companions, Winged Crusader, and Nicki’s Nipper, while others to consider are Abbeyview, Iron Chancellor and Rossini’s Dancer.

The North’s top stayer, One Conemara, goes for a four-timer in the 3m5f men’s open, and will be ridden by John Dawson. Another contender, Wayupinthesky, won this race back in 2015.

Streets Of Milan carried off last year’s Heart Of All England Maiden Hunters’ Chase at Hexham. Boa Island, Gran Paradiso and Worcester Pearmain are also contenders.

The 18 entries for the NPPA conditions race include Cave Hunter, who has won two of his three starts at Corbridge in the last five years. Sorcier made a winning debut here in March 2011, Monte Alban is chasing a hat-trick following victories at Alnwick this season, while the locally trained Roderick Random should go well under Charlotte Dun.

Last month’s Jedforest 2m4f Maiden winner, Hardrock Davis, is still on the upgrade and can follow up in the restricted race under John Dawson.

A challenge is likely to come from Costly Dream, and Rushour Ryan.

The concluding Open Maiden Race for eight-year-olds and over has eight entries.

Raleagh Mountain and Steel’s Cotton are due some success, About Time has been off the track for twenty two months and may need the run, while Emory has enjoyed some impressive recent finishes.