Jockeys from across Scotland, northern England and even Wales will descend on Fife for the UK’s most northerly point-to-point race meeting on Saturday.
Balcormo Races will see six steeplechase races and three pony races at Balcormo Mains racecourse near Leven.
Among almost 60 entries in the amateur steeplechase races is Kit Alexander, who hopes to cross the line first in the men’s open on Rossini’s Dancer for the second year running.
His uncle Jamie Alexander will also attempt to repeat his victory of last year in the Northern Point-to-Point Association members race.
The Alexander family, of Kinneston, near Leslie, has been involved with the Fife Point-to-Point event for generations but Kit became the first of the clan to win the open in 2015.
Fellow Fifer Gemma Cochrane will also be hoping for success on Milano Magic, last year’s champion horse in the northern point-to-point area.
Gemma trained the horse but was unable to compete last year due to a broken collar bone.
Instead Nick Orpwood rode Milano Magic to become the area’s leading gentleman rider.
Fife Point-to-Point honorary secretary Fiona Drysdale said she was expecting an exciting event, providing a great day out for spectators.
She said: “We have the same number of entries as last year, 57 in the horse races plus those in the pony races, and it looks very competitive.
“We have put the prize money up to almost the maximum that we are allowed to.”
Getting the course ready after such a wet winter had been hard work, but she said: “It’s looking fantastic and the sunshine now is helping.”
This year’s prize fund is a record £3200, with a £500 first prize in both open races.
As well as attempting to beat the bookies, race-goers will be able to enjoy a country fair for the first time, a beer tent, funfair, trade stands and a hog roast.
The pony races start at 1pm and the steeplechase races at 2pm, with the final race at 4.30pm.
