THE opening meeting of the Northern Point-to-Point season has been cancelled. 

The eagerly-anticipated Border card was set to take place at Hexham Racecourse on Sunday, with last season’s national champion horse, Winged Crusader, set to make an appearance. 

But organisers announced early on Thursday afternoon that heavy rainfall forced them to make an early decision. 

A statement read: "Unfortunately we are saddened to have to make the decision to abandon the Point-to-Point meeting this weekend. With another 15mm of heavy rainfall overnight the course is now waterlogged in places.

"We would like to thank all our race organisers, sponsors and volunteers who have worked tirelessly to try and get this meeting to go ahead, but sadly the weather has beaten us."

The statement added that the fixture will not be re-scheduled.