Jazmine set to defend New Year Sprint title

The 19-year-old became the first woman to win the world-famous race at Musselburgh Racecourse last year.

And she is amongst the 60 athletes who will be going for the £4,000 on Sunday, January 1.

But Tomlinson finds herself starting from 17 metres – 3.5 metres down on her handicap from last time.

Former Scottish champions Stacey Downie from West Linton and Dunfermline’s Gemma Sharp, who returns to the track after having a daughter, are both expected to progress from the heats.

And Earlston High pupil Emily Dagg will be looking to reach the final for the second year in a row from her 20.5 metres start.

Despite the numbers being down this year, promoter Frank Hanlon believes there will still be plenty of excitement.

He said: “The main sprint numbers are down which is disappointing but we have seen an increase in entries for the youths and other events.

“Although the numbers are down for the New Year Sprint there are a lot of good runners in the field.”

Berwickshire’s Cameron Tindle, who won in 2015, runs from the back mark of 1.25 metres.

And he will be expected to progress from the heats at Meadowmill on the Friday.

Leigh Marshall from Hawick, who won the race in 2009, should also eat up the ground to reach the Musselburgh cross-ties from his handicap of 7.75 metres.

And the 2006 winner Cumbie Bowers is more than capable of turning back the clock from his start of 8.5 metres.

Dolphinton’s Jordan Charters, who finished fourth in last year’s final behind Tomlinson, could again be in the frame from 10.25 metres.

Selkirk father and son, Craig (11.5) and Colin (16) Bruce, should reach the cross-ties.

And fellow Souter Craig Douglas will be looking to celebrate his 60th birthday with a heat win from his handicap of 25.5 metres.

The heats of the 148th New Year Sprint are run at Meadowmill on Friday, December 30 with the cross-ties and final being staged at Musselburgh Racecourse on New Year’s Day.