The first Point-to-Point action action in Scotland since March 2020 takes place on Sunday 23rd January with the Jedforest fixture at Friars Haugh, Kelso where a seven race card starts at 12.30pm.

Cooking Fat has been running consistently well this season without getting his head in front and his turn should finally come in the opening 'One For Arthur' Scottish Borders Conditions Race. Charlotte Dun's mount was 3rd at Revesby Park , Hexham and Alnwick before finishing twelve lengths 4th to the highly regarded Kalabaloo at Alnwick last time. He faces nothing of that class here and will be suited by near perfect jumping ground.

An experienced bunch with 215 career starts between them, the 6 entries include Tony Hogarth's evergreen 17-year-old gelding, Molten Brown, who won this race first time out in 2017 and, remarkably, none of his rivals have visited the winners' enclosure since he scored at Mosshouses in April 2019.

Veauce De Sivola, a 13-year-old full brother to Reve De Sivola, is an ideal schoolmaster for first season rider Courtney Fox, while So Satisfied gained the last of his 4 wins under Rules in February 2019. Although Shaughnessy is still a maiden over fences, he did win a bumper back in May 2018, while Calibrator was placed in one of his 11 starts under Rules in Ireland for Eoin Griffin.

The MKM Building Supplies and James Swinton & Co Ltd Intermediate Race has 10 entries. Dream Over opened her account over a shorter trip at the corresponding meeting in January 2020 and has continued on an upward curve since then with 2 Alnwick victories as well as landing a Carlisle bumper.

The Great Phoenix stayed on well when landing a Maiden and Restricted at Alnwick on his last 2 starts and should be on the premises again. My Liege won the 2020 renewal by a short head from Mr Pepperpot on his reappearance but could only finish fifteen lengths 4th to Senor Lombardy when last seen at Alnwick in December 2020.

The ultra consistent Monsun Storm rarely finishes out of the first four, Gold Time was quite impressive when scoring in a good time at Witton Castle and Hexham last season but needs a clear round after unseating at the 10th at Sheriff Hutton last Sunday, while Alone No More ran a blinder when three lengths 4th to Rio Des Echanault in the Buccleuch Cup Maiden Hunters' Chase at Kelso in April 2021.

Alone No More and Monsun Storm also figure among the 8 entries for the Harbro PPORA Club Members Ladies Open Race. My idea of the winner is Denbigh raider, Thyne For Gold (Immy Robinson). He finished a close 2nd in this grade at Hornby Castle and Witton Castle last season and posted a career-best effort when two lengths 2nd to the useful Dundrum Wood on his reappearance at Alnwick earlier this month.

On his first start for 223 days, the former Gordon Elliott-trained gelding, Ferocious caught the eye at Alnwick when nine lengths 3rd to Kalabaloo and looks capable of further improvement. Istimraar, who finished eight lengths 3rd to Dundrum Wood at Alnwick, makes his 80th career start on Sunday, almost 8 years since his debut for Saeed bin Suroor's yard over seven furlongs at Leicester.

Ex-Irish chaser, Racing Pulse completed a hat-trick in 2019 for Nick Alexander's yard including a valuable 3m2f Kelso Hunters' Chase and showed some of his old form when landing a 3m Class 5 Hexham Chase in June 2021. The runner-up that day, Breaking The Ice subsequently won 5 of his next 7 starts over fences. The veteran Son Of Suzie landed the 2020 renewal and worth noting that he has won first time out in 2 of the last 3 seasons, while former 150-rated chaser, Steely Addition should enjoy being back between the flags after struggling under Rules since his last win at Hereford in March 2019.

The progressive Rio Des Echanault heads the 7 entries for the Kelso Racecourse & Musselburgh Racecourse PPORA Club Member Men's Open Race. Successful on 2 of his 5 outings at Alnwick, he stepped up on those efforts when winning the 2021 'Buccleuch Cup' a shade cosily and is sure to be fully tuned up for his seasonal debut.

Dual Hutton Rudby scorer, Sartorial Elegance, Ferocious and Frankies Fire are the pick of the other 6 entries. The latter won 3 times between the flags in 2019 and looked as good as ever when staying on well to beat Takethepunishment by two lengths in the Border NPPA Conditions Race on November 28 but didn't jump as fluently next time when eight lengths 2nd to Senor Lombardy at Alnwick.

In-form Leicestershire trainer, Kelly Morgan, who has a 50% strike rate this season, confirmed earlier in the week that Vinnie Lewis will be her first runner at Friars Haugh in the Jockey Club & ROR Veteran Horse Conditions Race (13 entries).

A former Sussex National winner, this stayers track should be right up his street. George Chatterton's mount has already enjoyed successful Northern raids to Alnwick in December 2020 and December 2021 and looks well treated by the race conditions with only a 5lb penalty to carry..

The main danger is Takethepunishment, who boasts course form of 1B211. After being off the track for 624 days, he made a pleasing comeback when two lengths 2nd to Frankies Fire at Hexham on November 28. The aforementioned duo, Son Of Suzie and Steely Addition are also entered, along with ex-hurdler, Coole Hall, course winner Wind Of Hope and Worcester Pearmain.

There are 11 entries for the 2m4f Thomas Sherriff & Co Ltd and Browns PPORA Club Members Maiden Race. Kelly Morgan's 5-year-old gelding, Doctor Tom (Tom Chatfeild-Roberts) is also entered at Cocklebarrow on Sunday. He is better than his form figures might suggest and had a pipe-opener in a Southwell bumper on November 30.

Double Cognac showed promise when twenty lengths 5th to No Cruise Yet on her second start at Sheriff Hutton last April. Teds Charley Roe was runner-up on both starts at Friars Haugh in 2020 but has not been seen since finishing nineteen lengths 5th to The Wise Traveller at Alnwick in December 2020.

The former Noel Williams-trained hurdler, My Mums Posh has been off the track for 14 months, while any market moves for Stuart Coltherd's newcomer, Notnowbob should be noted. Kenny Lynn's 8-year-old gelding, Our Percy is also entered in the concluding Maiden. He has very few miles on the clock and a repeat of the form shown when thirteen lengths 2nd to Wetlands over hurdles at Carlisle in April 2021 should be good enough to land the spoils in this company.

The A S Crawford Groundworks Ltd PPORA Club Members Maiden Race for 8-year-olds and over has 8 entries with Our Percy the one to beat if opting for this contest over a longer trip.

Okey Dokey showed that he still retains plenty of ability at he age of 11 when seven lengths 2nd to The Great Phoenix at Alnwick earlier this month. Ballydonagh Boy ran well for a long way when 3rd and 4th on 2 recent outings at Alnwick, while the former Rose Dobbin-trained gelding, Classical Sound should be competitive in this grade.

Racegoers are advised to arrive in good time as a track and trace system will be in place and checks made. You should only attend if Covid free and showing no symptoms. Scottish Government guidelines advise that you are fully vaccinated or produce a negative lateral flow test result before attending.

There will no longer be pony racing at the fixture.

Admission is £10 per person, with Under 16's free.

The post code for SatNav users is TD5 8LS.