Lots of early points are on offer this weekend in Qatar Racing's Eight To Follow (www.8tofollow.co.uk) competition, which closes AT MIDNIGHT TODAY (Friday, May 2) and has a first prize of £10,000.

The points-scoring system rewards horses who win or are placed in Stakes races, so anyone who has yet to enter the competition should take a close look at Newmarket's QIPCO Guineas meeting. It has a number of races offering additional points, and which have drawn entries from horses in the Pearl Bloodstock and Qatar Racing Eight To Follow.

In Saturday's Gr.3 Pearl Bloodstock Palace House Stakes, Extortionist, Hot Streak and Pearl Secrethave been declared, while Sunday's Gr.1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas will include Alutiq, Kiyoshi and Lightning Thunder (seen below in yellow colours when finishing second to Miss France in last season's Gr.3 Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket).


Just The Judge, Pearl Of Africa and Secret Gesture have not been declared for Sunday's Gr.3 Qatar Bloodstock Dahlia Stakes, but they are all top-class fillies who should reap plenty of points for their followers in the Eight To Follow competition.

On Bank Holiday Monday at The Curragh, Purr Along is a possible runner in the Gr.3 Athasi Stakes andMagnolia Beach holds an entry in the Listed Tetrarch Stakes.

To enter simply click on this link www.8tofollow.co.uk and select eight horses from among those trained in Europe for Qatar Racing or Pearl Bloodstock. Each entry costs £10 and you must select four two-year-olds in your eight-strong stable.

Every £10 that comes in will be given to the charity Racing Welfare (www.racingwelfare.co.uk) so step up to the plate and get your entries in now!