WESSEX MEETS POINT TO THE STARS OF THE FUTURE

Point-to-pointing is an event where town and country folk come together to enjoy a day out watching horse racing in a relaxed atmosphere.

A highlight for many spectators is spotting the stars of the future, such as Brian Kilpatrick's Horus, winner of three of his four races under Rules this season after a distinguished point-to-point career which included winning the Army Open in both 2001 and 2002.

There are 25 meetings throughout the Wessex Area between January 11 and May 28, so remember to wrap up warm for those early meetings and at the later ones enjoy a picnic from the boot of your car in picturesque surroundings.

Horses may be trained in small private stables or in larger livery stables with many examples right across the area.

Nineteen-year-old Charlotte Tizzard will be riding six horses trained by father Alan at Milborne Port near Sherborne.

Alan has retained Agile King, while Forbidden Waters - a good winner under Charlotte at the South Dorset in 2001 - is likely to appear early in the season.

Father Jim finished fourth at the Torrington Farmers, while an interesting newcomer is Cherokee Run, a winner at Paxford and Andoversford when trained in the Midlands last season.

Robert Tizzard's Brodante King returns to the point-to-point field after campaigning under Rules and Hunt racing fans will be eager to see the return of Les Tizzard's Millyhenry, a prolific point-to-point winner in the past and Charlotte's first winner under Rules when successful at Plumpton in February.

From the Dorset/Somerset border, Jamie Snowden will be reunited with Chasing Daisy and Nearly Easter, both winners for him in 2002.

Charlie Studd has five horses to ride - Ile de Re, Joye des Iles, Kenzo III, Ruby Glen and Miners Dance, who gave Studd his first-ever wins when scoring at Ston Easton and Hackwood Park last season.

Jason Ferguson will be aboard Spring Gold and Cucklington, while Mark Shears will partner Holnicote winner Beadnell Bay and his father's Welsh Lad.

Owner-riders Lucy Wilson-Fitzgerald and Justin Myerscough-Walker will make their debuts this season on Nice Approach and High Sturt respectively.

Alex Charles-Jones, Rilly Goschen and Nick Mitchell are also likely to share some promising rides including twice-raced Ruby Flare, whose dam, Ruby Flame, won 13 races for the Jowett family in the 1980s and 90s, Wadebridge winner Nearly Gold and Frank Byrne, winner of three 2002 races for Isle of Wight owner Hazel Goody.

Chasing The Bride will miss 2003, but owner Susan Hooper will be represented by Chasing Katie, while Sue Woodhouse's five-year-old, Rio Pops, a daughter of the prolific Hops And Pops, could be another to look out for.

Richard Barber will have about 25 point-to-pointers at his yard near Beaminster this season. Richard has retained 2002 winners My Man Tim, Rimpton Boy and Spuddler's Dream while newcomers include David Chown's Drum Battle, winner of five races under Rules and likely to run in Hunter Chases.

Ray Geddes' Norski Lad won seven races for Paul Nicholls and is one to note in point-to-points, especially if aimed at military races.

Among the younger horses, five-year-olds Lord Earth, Manly Money, Spot The Business, Miman James, who ran in two 2002 Bumpers, and Karoo, a half-brother to Irbee, could be ones to note.

Christian Williams, Nick Williams and Polly Gundry will ride the majority of Richard's runners this season. Jim White will be aboard his own Magnemite, while Chloe Roddick is likely to partner Paul Nicholls' Mister Benjamin in Ladies races.

Fiona Shaw has four point-to-pointers in training at Bradford Peverell, near Dorchester. She has retired Lankridge and Alex Thuscombe, but South Dorset winner Catnap and the promising Dunbay, a good winner at Littlewindsor for owner Jill Kelly, will both be in action.

Newcomers to the yard are Flora Bright and Sliema, sixth and ninth in an April 2002 Wetherby Bumper for Jonjo O'Neill and Oliver Sherwood respectively.

Fiona's husband Peter could miss 2003 following his shoulder injury, so Naddan Wilmington may partner her runners this

season.

John Boulter has about seven horses owned jointly with Fern Wilkins at his yard on the edge of Milton Abbas, near Blandford Forum. Faugere is in training with Paul Nicholls and Winners Enclosure will miss 2003, but John has retained Cahors and Whispering Pines, a winner at Barbury Castle last season and one to note in testing conditions.

The promising Cantenac Brown has recovered from the injury he sustained at the PPORC, while Starpath, who is qualified for the Cheltenham Foxhunters, is another to note in 4-mile races.

Five-year-olds Figeac and D'Issan should be in action this season, while a very interesting newcomer is winning French six-year-old mare Line Apple, half-sister to a string of French winners including Grey Jack, winner of the 2000 Gran Premio Merano in Italy.

Line Apple is not eligible for point-to-pointing but may be aimed at hunter chases. Michael Miller will ride the majority of the horses when available.

Mary Tory has seven point-to-pointers stabled at Thornicombe, near Blandford. Whatashock is campaigning under Rules, but Tory has retained Cotley winner General Typhoon, Spring Marathon - a winner at Cothelstone under daughter Emma - and Enoch, who may be aimed at the PPORC Maiden won last season by Whatashock.

Newcomers to the yard include Whatashock's home-bred half-sister Eccentricity, who ran on the Flat for trainer Ron Hodges, and Russian Relation, off the course since running over hurdles for Nerys Dutfield in 1999/2000. Emma Tory and Nadden Wilmington are likely to ride for Mary this season.

Andy Old has two point-to-pointers stabled at Ibberton near Blandford this season, namely Sun Lark, placed in one of his two 2000 point-to-points and whose dam is a sister to 1985 Cheltenham Foxhunters' winner Elmboy, and Irisio, trained by Robert Alner last season and a first point-to-pointer for local farmer Jonathan Kendall.

Richard Miller has four horses for the new season in his Woolland yard. Woodford winner Harry's Dream is running under Rules, but Miller has retained Mister Swallow and Charlton Horethorne winner Skip 'N' Tune. Two unraced newcomers complete the yard.

Louise Cullen has three point-to-pointers at her Ebbesbourne Wake stables, near Shaftesbury.

Cullen, who is assisted by Jack O'Rourke, has retained Driven By Desire and Blackberry Way, winner of a 2 mile Huntingdon Hunter Chase under Owyn Nelmes in May.

A newcomer to the yard is Norman Bishop's home-bred five-year-old Anniestheme. Cullen is hoping that Nelmes - stable amateur rider to David Elsworth's Whitsbury yard - will be available to ride for her this season

Ali Tory has seven horses in training at Witchampton near Wimborne. Cothelstone scorer Pulham Downe, and Portman Members winner Willie Makeit will again be in action, while Tory is hopeful that dual 2002 winner Millcroft Regatta will run after recovering from the injury he sustained at Stratford. Alex Charles-Jones and Michael Miller will ride the majority of Tory's runners this season.