Last updated 13:13, Thursday, 06 November 2008

THE recently published point-to-point fixture list of the British Horseracing Authority heralds the 2009 season which is scheduled to kick-off in the North on Sunday January 25, with the West Percy meeting at Alnwick.

The continued popularity of Sunday racing in the North is confirmed with a further eight fixtures on the Sabbath during the four-month long season.

Sunday races at Northumbrian venues include College Valley and North Northumberland at Alnwick (February 15), Tynedale at Corbridge (March 1), Morpeth at Tranwell (March 29), Braes of Derwent at Corbridge (April 19), Haydon at Hexham Racecourse (May 17) and Border at Hexham Racecourse (May 31).

The 36th Annual Northern Point-to-Point Association dinner was held at Kelso Racecourse and included presentations of awards to the leading owners and riders of 2008.

Despite drawing a blank at the last three fixtures, Hexham amateur, Andrew Richardson (41) still finished two points ahead of Tristan Davidson to retain the Albert Bartlett and Sons, Airdrie Ltd Men’s Championship.

The 2005 novice champion Kelly Bryson (22) clinched the Scottish Farmer Ladies’ Championship for the first time.

A career best seasonal tally of 14 winners saw her finish 30 points ahead of Catherine Walton and defending champion Rose Dobbin (nee Davidson).

Bryson was also the leading rider in the Ashleybank Investments Ltd NPPA Club Members’ race series during the 2008 campaign.

Bonchester Bridge amateur, Jonathan Bewley (19) carried off the Duncan Davidson Novice Riders’ Championship with five points to spare over Jack Wallace.

Newton-by-the-Sea owner/trainer Victor Thompson doesn’t believe in keeping his charges wrapped up in cotton wool and stable star Seaview Lass was a worthy winner of the George F. White sponsored Champion Horse award with two wins and six placed efforts from her 11 starts.

The John Swan Ltd Hunt awards resulted in a second consecutive win for the Border, while the Charlie Macmillan Memorial Trophy, presented to the owner of the most promising young maiden horse qualified in the Northern Area, went to Charming Knight, owned and trained by Otterburn handler Jane Findlay, who won three of his starts between the flags.

Despite losing the West Percy meeting due to a waterlogged course, the 16 surviving Northern Area fixtures attracted a total of 2,421 entries with 1,067 runners and a healthy average of 8.74 per race, the best figures since 2002.

The 2009 fixtures are:

January: Sunday, 25th, West Percy at Alnwick; Saturday, 31st, Jedforest at Kelso.

February: Sunday, 15th, College Valley and North Northumberland at Alnwick; Sunday, 22nd, Dumfriesshite and Stewartry at Netherby.

March: Sunday, 1st, Tynedale at Corbridge; Saturday, 7th, Cumberland Farmers at Dalston; Saturday, 14th, Duke of Buccleuch’s at Kelso; Saturday, 21st, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire and Eglington at Crossford; Saturday, 28th, Berwichshire at Kelso; Sunday, 29th, Morpeth at Tranwell.

April: Saturday, 11th, Percy at Alnwick; Sunday, 19th, Braes of Derwent at Corbridge; Saturday, 25th, Fife at Balcormo Mains.

May: Sunday, 3rd, Lauderdale at Mosshouses; Saturday, 9th, Cumberland at Aspatria; Sunday, 17th, Haydon at Hexham Racecourse; Sunday 31st, Border at Hexham Racecourse.