Return of racing

Five further meetings are programmed in December before the Wessex Area season gets underway on Saturday, January 3, with the Army meeting at Larkhill.

The Wessex Area is traditionally among the strongest in the country. Here are some of the horses to look out for in 2009.

Richard Barber will again have a strong team of pointers at his yard at Seaborough near Beaminster, including prolific winners Rimpton Boy (likely to have a light campaign), Brown Cockle, Rye Brook, and Spuddler’s Dream.

Just Here, Shaver Baines and Royal Rapture can build on last year’s promise, while Trust Fund and Ofarel D’Airy should both make their mark in hunter chases.

The stable has its usual intake of younger horses and Ainteen Thirtythree, Fredwal, Pezreuil, Queenly D’Isop, and Shacklesborough may be five to note at this early stage.

Rachael Green will again be Richard’s stable jockey, with James Ridley the yard’s novice rider. Richard’s grandson, Jack, 17, will make his point-to-point debut aboard Thisthatandtother.

Marilyn Burrough will race four horses from her Broadwindsor near Beaminster base. Amy’s Future and First Wave return and are joined by Ascot purchase Carroll’s O’Tully, winner of an October 2007 Carlisle handicap chase for trainer Richard Ford.

Good Outlook will reappear at Black Forest Lodge in January.

Nicky Atkinson has three horses at home at Cattistock near Dorchester. Winners in 2008 Coral Cay and Kiwi Rap are joined by Spring Lord, the first progeny of the Atkinson family’s superb racemare Avril Showers.

Grand campaigner Red Brook Lad has retired, but Charlie Fox will race the ex-Paul Nicholls-trained Turthen from his Askerswell yard near Bridport.

Neighbour Graham Foot will campaign three horses: Ryders Storm, My Beauty and stable stalwart Askers Jack.

Cobreces, trained at Stoke Abbott near Beaminster by owner Lucia Borradaile, will again be in action in point-to-points before he attempts a third win in Haydock’s Walrus Hunter Chase.

Charlotte Tizzard enjoyed a successful first season as a trainer in 2007/08 and several of her winners will be back in action. Coombe Hill should be a force in Ladies’ Opens, while Cotley winner Lagan Legend and dual 2008 winner Fully Loaded also return.

Three interesting recruits to the yard are Midnight Queen, a winner at Cothelstone last season, an unraced four-year-old owned by former Larkhill Clerk of the Course Peter Wright, and three-year-old Karina Lynch, a daughter of prolific racemare Castle Lynch.

Michaela and Tracy Williams have four horses at Milborne Port near Sherborne. Coverdale, Kayleigh and Vic’s Pride all return, along with newcomer Fox ‘N’ Goose.

Nyland Stables, near Gillingham, welcomes back several of last year’s winners, including Barney Blue, winner of four 2008 races, and the wonderfully consistent Bernard Pike’s Who Else Knew.

Silver Monarch and Knighton Combe return, along with El Troubadour, and Mr Slipper.

Spiers Peace should reappear, while Stafford Cross winner Diflock is qualifying with the South Dorset.

Jan Kwiatkowski will again partner his Assignation. Newcomers include Hazel Goody’s Ascot purchase Aill Na Serracht, who ran once in an Irish point-to-point last season.

Cathy Hamilton has two horses at home at Kington Magna near Gillingham – Force Ten and Gunship.

Bradford Peverell near Dorchester handler Fiona Shaw will continue to race Sliema and Bratton Down winner Novikova Rose this season.

Husband Peter will campaign Drybrook Bedouin.

Mary Tory has half-a-dozen pointers for the new season at Thornicombe, near Blandford. Mary has retained Tory Blue, a good winner at Cattistock before finishing a close second to Rimpton Boy at the Seavington.

Bondi Breeze, Charisworth and Silver Eile return after debuting last season. Newcomers include Hope Street, out of the prolific racemare Hops And Pops, and Jim and Ann Tory’s four-year-old by Baryshnikov.

Ali Tory will race Woodford maiden winner Grand Affair and the consistent Force Twelve from her base at Witchampton near Wimborne.

Michelle Taylor also uses Ali’s yard and will again campaign the excellent Golden Jack, the winner of four point-to-points last season.

Louise Alner has about 10 horses at her yard at Droop near Hazelbury Bryan. Stable stalwart Trade Off will reappear in February, while Alner welcomes back Whataclue, Braeroy (three wins in 2008) and Fontwell hunter chase winner Sesame Rambler.

Bondsley and Mrs O’Connell return after missing last season, while Bilton’s Nap rejoins the yard. Family favourite Even More, now owned by Louise, may go hunter chasing.

Interesting youngsters are Burrator, a half-sister to multiple winners Free Gift and Little Brown Bear, and Arnie Sendell’s unnamed three-year-old half-brother to Peasedown Tofana and Mrs Duf. Sam Allwood will be Alner’s stable jockey this season.

Shepherds Hut misses 2009, so Andy Old will rely on homebred Gotta Get On to carry the point-to-point flag from his stables at Ibberton near Blandford.

Michael Miller has two horses in his Woolland yard. Martin Rose’s Midnight Eclipse is joined by The Jolly Miller, who will race for The Kitford Club group of owners.

Michael’s father, Richard, known as ‘The Jolly Miller’ when National Champion Rider twice in the 1970s, will run maiden mares Bobbys Choice and Sweet Nap from his home at Came Park near Dorchester.

Richenda Snook has four horses at her stables at Okeford Fitzpaine near Blandford. She retains Tyneham and Sherfield Don, while Catch You Later and Somerby are new recruits.