THE Grimthorpe Gold Cup – the highlight of the Yorkshire 'pointing' calendar – takes place on Sunday when the Middleton Hunt point-to-point gallops into view at Sheriff Hutton.

A total of 135 entries have been received across seven races at the event, which takes place by kind permission of Mick Easterby.

Past runnings of the Grimthorpe – a Mixed Open run over four miles and one furlong – tells us that horses that have won on their previous run tend to go well.

The horses in top form here include Max My Boy, who was runner-up in this contest last year.

Monsieur Jourdain has won this race three times, and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back to form if conditions stay dry.

Royal Deal is a quirky type, and it is hard to know how much stamina he has, while Solid Strike could be a threat to the main contenders.

The obvious choice, though, could be One Conemara. His only disappointing effort this season came in a Wetherby hunter chase where he struggled with the bigger fences.

As for the rest, Peter From Paris looks to stay well, and Prince Of Pirates returned from a huge absence to finish second to Monsieur Jourdain last time.

Southern raider Horsham Lad has won 15 of his 30 point-to-point runs and has triumphed over 3m 4f and 3m 6f, so his stamina is assured.

The day's action begins earlier, at 2pm, with the Hunt Members race where the Coward team have four contenders.

Path To Freedom looks the best of their quartet. He was second to subsequent winner Dance Of Time at Charm Park, and was also an impressive maiden at this track in January.

Next up is the Club Members race. Here, The Highlander seems a useful pointer but may need the rain to come.

The Restricted race could see a nice bunch of progressive horses lock horns.

Path To Freedom has always looked a decent sort but could have Station Master to contend with. The pair were upsides when crashing out at the last at Charm Park and it is hard to know who would have come out on top that day.

The first of two maidens is a three-miles Open Maiden. Pick Up Trix looked to hold every chance until getting outpaced late on at Friars Haugh, and can go one better here.

The Intermediate is a Red Mills qualifier for the final at Cheltenham, and is likely to go the way of Dance Of Time, who is a strong traveller and has looked useful in his last two starts.

The final race is a 2m 4f Maiden for horses who have not run under rules.

This race could be easy pickings for Ourgetaway. The son of Getaway was third at the Hurworth on his British debut, while he led over the last in his Members race where he was beaten four lengths by two solid open horses.

Younger jockeys will get the chance to experience the thrill of racing riding in the pony races.

The first pony race begins at 12pm, a Novice Riders Race for 148cm ponies over six furlongs, followed by a seven furlong race in the Open Race.

Public admission is £10 per adult. See www.pointinginyorkshire.co.uk for more information