The South East kicks off its point-to-point season with the Kent Grand National at Charing on Sunday.

This biggest race of the year, transferred to Charing because Detling has no fixture this season, has 13 declared runners set to contest the three miles six furlongs. Last year’s winner, Freddies Return, unbeaten in eight races, stays at home with an injured leg so leading contenders include Jack’s Present (Nick Pearce), the Folkestone winner Swordsman (trained by former area champion Jenny Gordon) and Cold Mountain, who has winning form over extreme distances.
Rick Gurney and his syndicate introduce the promising Behind The Scenes for the Restricted race, trained by Philip York. The form of this 10-year-old under rules suggests a future in hunter ‘chases. She Is A Cracker, already a winner at Cottenham this season, will be a warm order for the opening novice riders’ race with George Gorman on board.
Another Gurney horse, Benmore Boy, is scheduled to make its debut in the Club Members. This unknown quantity, sired by Old Vic and once trained by Henrietta Knight, could pay to follow.
Clerk of the course Rob Harrison reports the course in first class order with perfect jumping ground. The first of six races is at 12.00, and admission is £10 per person with car parking and children under 16 free of charge. Charing racecourse is on the A20, five miles north-west of Ashford, Kent. The code for satnavs is TN27 0JD.

1. Charing January 30th; 2. Godstone February 20th; 3. Detling February 27th; 4. Godstone March 13th; 5. Penshurst March 20th; 6. Penshurst April 16th; 7. Godstone April 3rd; 8. Parham April 30th.