TWO former winners of the New Year Sprint will clash in this year’s heats.

Dylan Ali, the 2014 winner, and Leigh Marshall, who was victorious in 2009, were both named in heat five as the draw was made at Musselburgh Racecourse.

Also in that heat is Emily Dagg, who finished third as Greg Kelly stormed to victory on New Year’s Day this year.

Kelly, of East Kilbride AC, will attempt to defend his crown this time around and is in heat one.

Also among the field is Scott Tindle, who goes in heat nine hoping to emulate the achievements of his brother Cameron, who was the winner of the 2016 race.

Jordan Charters, who was last year’s runner-up, is another one to watch and he is in heat 10.

This year is the 149th running of the New Year Sprint, which moved to Musselburgh from Meadowbank in 1999.

The heats will take place at Meadowmill on December 30, with the semi-finals and final contested during the National Hunt meeting at Musselburgh Racecourse on New Year’s Day.

The final is expected to be shown live on ITV as part of its coverage from the county racecourse.

And once more this year, the promoter is offering a £20,000 bonus to anyone who beats the world professional record of 11.14 seconds over 120 yards (approximately 110m), set by Tranent’s George McNeill 47 years ago.

Any runner with a time of 11.24 seconds will earn a £2,000 prize, while a time of 11.34 seconds will earn £1,000.

In the event that bad weather forces the cancellation of the horse racing, the final will also be postponed and take place at the rescheduled National Hunt meeting.