NORTHERN AREA
NEWS
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Alnwick Race Course Makes History
History is to be made on Sunday 13th December 2009 when Ratcheugh Race Course, Alnwick becomes the first race course in the North of England ever to hold an autumn point to point.
The sport of point to pointing has traditionally been staged in the spring of the year at a time when the hunting season had finished. Over time the meeting dates have gradually moved forward to the early months of the year with the usual start date in the north being in January. There is an increasingly demand for amateur steeple chase racing over a longer period of time. However by the end of the season the ground can be very hard which often results in the meetings being cancelled or low numbers of entrants.
To this effect, two years ago autumn point to points were commenced in the southern half of the country and now, for the first time ever, this is also to take place in the north.
The Northern Area Club race card that is programmed for Sunday 13th December is a six card race starting with the first race at 12 noon. The card consists of open races to men and ladies only, restricted race for winners of one point to point, maiden race for horses that have not won and also a race confined to qualifiers in the Northern Area.
This early season card provides a fantastic opportunity for people to qualify horses for principal races at Cheltenham on better going than may be experienced later in the winter. The ground at Ratcheugh is presently good to soft, soft in places having avoided a lot of the recent wet weather. There is an excellent covering of grass that would be the envy of many race courses and it is hoped that this will provide excellent going on the day.
George White, Secretary for the Meeting, commented "This is a fantastic opportunity for both point to point owners, jockeys and also the public to enjoy watching this progressive sport in the run up to Christmas. The Committee at Ratcheugh has worked tirelessly to get the course in excellent order and we are indebted to the numerous sponsors who have come forward offering generous support. We look forward to welcoming the public to what should be a great days sport."
The first race is staged at 12 noon with gates opening at 10.30am. There will be full catering, bar and betting facilities available. Admission is £10 per head which includes a free race card.
For further details contact Tom Oates at George F White on 01665 603231.
