THE North Cotswold Point-to-Point on Easter Monday has always been a magnet for the committed or casual racegoer and that tradition has continued since the meeting moved from Springhill to Paxford in 1997.

Visitors to this year's meeting should note that racing starts at the earlier time of 1pm.

With so many meetings scheduled, running plans are difficult to predict but the Members race will be as hard-fought as always with three local stables vying for victory.

Joanne Paddock from Chipping Campden could run The Hoo or Binge Drinker and a win for the latter would now doubt result in celebrations at the Lygon Arms.

Both horses will have their work cut out in this contest against representatives from the Naunton yards of Emma Baker and Fergal O'Brien.

Likely Ballydonagh and View Hollo look the likely participants from Baker's yard, while O'Brien can choose between Jaunty Journey or Marblehead to carry the colours of Taddington based Sue Collett.

A clash between Ballydonagh and Marblehead would set the tone for the rest of the afternoon.

O'Brien has the same pair entered for the Intermediate and the stable selection has little to fear from a large proportion of the entries, but may have to play second fiddle if Emmett Hotel lines up.

O'Brien is also represented in both the Ladies and Men's Opens where Fergals Find and Hambaphambili carry the stable's hopes.

The former has won his last two races but he will not find it an easy task in the Ladies against Father Tom, Gemster, Pirate Flagship and Mooniki.

Hambaphambili won at Badbury Rings recently but takes a step up in the class in the Men's Open and may struggle to make his mark.

Meggies Lad and Nokarad de Verzee have already established themselves in this grade, while Seebald won numerous races under Rules for Martin Pipe.

Dick Baimbridge has a good record at Paxford which could be extended if Parsifal meets his engagement in the Restricted and Equivocate runs in the 5-6-7-year-old Maiden.

Nokarad de Verzee's stablemate Iphar is likely to run in the latter event. He has finished runner-up on several occasions already this season and this race probably provides Kim Smyly's runner with his best chance of success to date.

Brooking would be a popular winner of the older Maiden. He carries the colours of meeting secretary Robert Symonds and finished third at Larkhill last weekend.

His form is progressing in the right direction which is more than can be said for some of his rivals with the possible exception of Sykee Savage.