CHADDESLEY Corbett should see plenty of runners for the Albrighton & Woodland (North) point to point meeting this Sunday (noon start).

With milder conditions predicted in the run up to the meeting, the going is expected to be on the softer side of good despite the recent frozen conditions.

At this stage of the season, the championships are still in their infancy and so far no-one has put their stamp on either the trainers' or jockeys' titles.

Bridgnorth-based Phil Rowley and Alex Edwards won three races at last year’s fixture and will be keen for a repeat performance which they can use as a springboard to mount their challenges.

Hazel Hill is being talked about as a possible Cheltenham Foxhunters contender, but his two wins this season means he has to carry an 8lb penalty in the Men’s Open and that puts him at a major disadvantage with the other runners.

The winning horse qualifies for the Timico sponsored Mixed Open Final at Cheltenham on May 3, which Rowley won last year with Barel of Laughs. As well as Hazel Hill, the trainer has a useful second string in Wishing and Hoping who carries the colours of Barel of Laughs owner Peter Andrews. His recent form has been blighted with jumping errors but if those have been resolved, he could be a major player.

Clive Bennett has his horses split between Emma Alvis at Laverton and Sam Jukes at Dymock and it is the turn of the former to carry their hopes in the Men’s Open. Chasforgold was never seen with a chance over course and distance in December but better things are expected this time around, while Rye Cross was last of five finishers in the Men’s Open at the same meeting.

Drumhart, Celtic Intrigue and Toowoomba do not look to have the skill set to trouble the main protagonists, whereas the North West challenger Port Melon may be the one to give them most to do.

Arthurs Secret has an outstanding record in Ladies Open, but faces a worthy opponent in Haymount. However, his regular pilot Gina Andrews is currently sidelined with a broken collarbone so it will be interesting to see who connections have lined up as a replacement.

Arthurs Secret finished three and a half-lengths behind Golden Toubouggan over this course at Christmas and that horse was beaten three lengths by Haymount at Sheriff Hutton. The latter now has to carry a 4lb penalty so there may not be much between them at the finish.

Patricktom Boru is a useful sort in this type of event but may need the run, while it will be interesting to see how Knockaderry Flyer performs in this company. Well Mett finished second in this race 12 months ago but will do well to get the better of TB Broke Her who has put in some good performances against several top-class Ladies horses in recent weeks and is due a change in fortune.

The first two horses in this race qualify for the Skinners Ladies Final at Stratford on May 31, and several of these participants will be keen to get their hands on this major prize.

Gadrose carries the Hazel Hill colours in the 2-1/2 mile Restricted and could be another winner for the Rowley/Edwards axis. Connections have been patient with the six-year-old and with a 7lb weight allowance the scales may be tipped in the favour of the Rowley-trained runner.

Tossapenny is the highest rated horse in this contest and would be a welcome winner for the Rucker yard, while Everybody’s Talkin is another highly rated rules runner who is biding to provide Brooke Gardener-Wallen with her first success.