WITH milder weather forecast, plans are hotting up for the first Scottish point-to-point of the season on Saturday.

The Jedforest fixture at Kelso’s Friars Haugh course lifts the curtain on New Year racing in the north, and promises an exciting day’s sport.

Racing comes under orders at 12.30pm with the JRW Group Jedforest members’ race – always a hotly-contested contest, and won last year by Northern Area ladies’ champion Kelly Bryson riding Farlington for Bonchester owner/trainer Phillipa Shirley-Beavan.

The Dodson & Horrell Point to Point Owners and Riders Association (PPORA) Club members race for novice riders, at 1pm, is a qualifier for the £1,000 final at Tabley in May.

Competitors vie for the Tarquann Trophy in the Brewin Dolphin Ladies’ Open race at 1.30pm, with the Edmund Vestey men’s equivalent following half-an-hour later at 2pm.

The David-Easterby-trained Opio landed the 2009 restricted race, and local hopefuls will bid to keep the Wells trophy closer to home this year.

The penultimate race on the card – a mares open maiden race sponsored by Bedmax – is always well supported, and racing concludes with an open maiden race run in memory of Billy Stenhouse at 3.30pm.

Bar and catering facilities are available on site, and a £10 entry fee includes a free race and free parking.

* Last Sunday’s West Percy meeting, which had been rescheduled from January 24, has been abandoned due to weather conditions.