NORTHERN point-to-point racing comes under orders at Alnwick when the West Percy fixture gets the eagerly anticipated new season underway.

• New season starts at Alnwick

NORTHERN point-to-point racing comes under orders at Alnwick when the West Percy fixture gets the eagerly anticipated new season underway.

The opening meeting on Sunday, January 25, is one of three to be held at the Ratcheugh farm track, a left-handed course easily accessible, situated just some two miles off the A1.

Seven races are scheduled for the inaugural 2009 fixture - although some are likely to be divided to accommodate the usual large number of entries.

The course hosts its second meeting when the College Valley and North Nothumberland point-to-point is held there three weeks later on Sunday, February 15, beginning with the Northern Area Point-to-point Association Club members' race.

Racing returns to Racheugh farm for the final time this term on Easter Saturday, April 11, for the Percy card.

Kelso's Friars Haugh course, lying across the river from the Border Union showground, also plays host to three meetings throughout the season.

It's initial fixture - and the first Scottish point-to-point - is the Jedforest on Saturday, January 31, which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Included in the seven-race card is a Dodson and Horrell PPORA members' race for novice riders, and an open maiden race for mares only.

The second Kelso meeting is that of host hunt, the Duke of Buccleuch's Foxhounds, on Saturday, March 14, when the members' race starts the action at 1pm.

Last of the Kelso fixtures comes a fortnight later on Saturday, March 28, when the Berwickshire meeting also gets underway with a competitive members' race.

Corbridge is the venue for two meetings - the Tynedale coming under orders at Downhills on Sunday, March 1, followed the next month by the Braes of Derwent on Sunday, April 19.

Hexham racecourse is the only other track to host more than one meeting throughout the term.

Its two point-to-points bring the Northern season to a close, with the Haydon meeting on Sunday, May 17, followed by the concluding Border fixture on Sunday May 31 - when the Area titles will come to fruition.

Of the sole racing venues, Netherby Park, near Longtown, is the first, where the Dumfriesshire and Stewarty, takes place on Sunday, February 22.

Another popular Cumbrian track is Dalston, where the Cumberland Farmers have six races scheduled at Holm Hill Parks on Saturday, March 7, Since its inauguration, Overton Farm at Crossford has also proved a well-supported course, where the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire and Eglinton Hunts have their meeting on Saturday, March 21.

A fortnight later, on Sunday, March 29, its back to the other side of the border, for the Morpeth meeting at Tranwell, which begins at 1pm with a two-and-a-half mile open maiden for five, six and seven-year-olds.

Balcormo Mains - home of Northern Area chairman Sir John Gilmour - is the venue for the Fife fixture on Saturday, April 25, while Mosshouses, near Galashiels - home of Northern Area secretary Tony Hogarth - plays host to the Lauderdale meeting on Sunday, May 3.v Racing at the Lauderdale begins at 2pm with the Border Hunts Club members race - open to owners, horses and rider qualified with the Berwickshire, Duke of Buccleuch's, Jedforest and Lauderdale.

The final course to hold just one fixture is Aspatria where the Cumberland Hunt runs at Heathfield on Saturday, May 9.

Pony racing - aimed at encouraging young jockeys of the future - has been well received and seven Northern fixtures stage these ever-popular and competitive contests.

The first pony racing in the north takes place at the Tynedale on March 1, and there will also be racing at the Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire and Eglinton on March 21; the Morpeth on March 29; at the Braes of Derwent on April 19; Fife on April 25; the Lauderdale on May 3, and finally, at the Haydon on May 17.

Presentations to the season's leading lights will again take place at the Northern Area dinner.

Along with awards for the top gentleman, lady and novice riders, the north's champion horse for the season will be announced, and the Hunt to have gained most points throughout the season will be recognised.

The Northern Area point-to-point Club races riders' championship will be presented, along with the Charlie Macmillan Memorial trophy for the owner of the most promising maiden horse.

Fourteen Northern Area Point-to-Point Club races form part of a series throughout the area.

Changes to the point-to-point regulations for the season ahead include "club intermediate" races now being classed as an "intermediate" race, rather than a club race. This ties in with the existing definitions of "club maidens" and "club restricteds."

A horse to have won a "winners of three" in Ireland, is deemed to have won an intermediate.

An additional power has been given to raceday stewards, allowing them to "order the withdrawal from a race of any unruly horse where they reason to be concerned."

Novice riders (as defined by the rules) are now eligible to ride in four members' races, as opposed to the previous maximum of three.

It will be the sole responsibility of the owner or his representative to replace, or relocate it, if a tongue strap becomes loose or displaced on the way to the start.

The explanation of timescales for equine influenza vaccination has been brought into line with the Rules of Racing, which reads "none of the vaccinations has been given on the day of the race or in the six days prior to the race in which the horse is declared to run."

Jockeys should note a change to the instructions booklet which says that once a fence has been bypassed, it will now remain so for the duration of the race.

With the prospect of new horses, first-time jockeys, and another varied schedule, there's plenty to help beat the recessional gloom in the point-to-point season ahead.