RACING enthusiasts can look forward to the creation of a new point-to-point course in Worcestershire.

The sport is returning to Knightwick, near Worcester, after 34 years.

Point-to-point meetings took place at various locations in the Knightwick area from 1946 until a move to Upper Sapey in 1984.

Upper Sapey was always susceptible to difficulties when conditions were dry and the 2017 meeting had to be abandoned due to hard ground.

The decision has been taken to make the move to an entirely new course on land known as The Rock, Knightwick, following a generous donation from John and Sue Walker.

The first meeting at the new location following the move from Upper Sapey will take place on Sunday, April 29, 2018.

The course is just off the A44 Worcester to Bromyard road, and is on the left hand side just before The Talbot/Knightwick turning if coming from the Worcester direction.

The course will be set out on meadows adjacent to the River Teme and will be left handed and oval in shape. Each circuit will measure approximately one mile and half a furlong, so a three mile race will comprise nearly three circuits of the course. Four fences will be situated in the back straight and another two in the home straight, making a total of six fences per circuit and 18 in total.

In future, the meeting will be marketed as Knightwick Races and this will be used in all future promotional material.

A great deal of time and effort is still required to get the new course ready and the organisers would like to hear from anyone who has any old steeplechase fences they are thinking of replacing or old running rails.

Anyone able to help should contact the meeting’s secretary, Belinda Palfrey, via email at belinda@hanleymill.co.uk or on 07977 135339 and 01584 781014.