RUNNERS and riders are lining up this week as the 2003 point-to-point season gets underway in the Wessex Area with the first meeting tomorrow (Saturday) at Larkhill, Wiltshire.
There will be 25 meetings between January 11 and May 28 in the Wessex area, giving the opportunity to spot the stars of the future - Somerset-trained See More Business, winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1999, started on point-to-point.
The Holnicote Estate provides the backdrop for its usual three meetings, first on February 22 and then on May 3 and 10.
Cothelstone stages its first meeting on March 15 and follows up with racing on April 13 and an evening meeting on May 14.
West Somerset has a strong hand when it comes to runners this season with the yards pitting their wits against each other at the 11 courses in the Wessex area.
Jeremy and Camilla Scott have four point-to-pointers at their stables on the edge of Wimbleball Lake. These are headed by Gary Lever's top class County Derry, winner of the 2002 Land Rover Men's Championship Hunter Chase at Towcester, and Down Royal who won two 2002 point-to-points.
One newcomer is Porlock Hill - three times a winner at Cothelstone last year for Sue Popham and bought privately by Gary Lever after failing to reach his reserve price at Ascot sales.
Neil Harris, who is travelling head lad to Noel Chance's Lambourn yard, will partner the Scott's horses again in 2003.
Meanwhile, Treborough's Polly Curling has three point-to-pointers at her yard with Buckfastleigh winner Posh As You Like and triple 2002 winner Hylters Chance, who always enters in the reckoning on his favoured fast ground.
An interesting newcomer to her yard is Mont Aca which won a hurdle and two chases when under the guidance of top national hunt trainer Phillip Hobbs at his Bilbrook stables.
Tim and Julie Long have a 12-strong team at their Over Stowey stables in the Quantocks.
Polar Ramble has retired but the couple have retained Bayoss, Minat Boy, Sacrifice, Escartefique and the Bateman family's Ross Cottage, all of which took top spot in races last year.
Six-year-olds Northern Edition and Ebony Jack, a son of the Irish Grand National winner Ebony Jane, may make their debuts this season.
Two prospects to keep and eye on are Sunshan, a winner at Ludlow last season, and ex-Colin Tizzard-trained Good Thyme Guy who landed the Fontwell Novice Hurdle in March 2001.
Geoff Barfoot-Saunt and Vici Price will be will riding for the Longs this year.
Meanwhile John Honeyball, who trained subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner The Dikler to win two 1969 point-to-points, will be racing eight-year-old Keith from his Broomfield stables in the Quantocks.
Keith and Janet Cumings have 10 qualified horses with the Devon and Somerset Staghounds near South Molton. Last year winners Mine's a Gin, Friar Waddon and Sir William will all be in action again.