RICHARD BARBER will once again spearhead the local pointing talent with his powerful string of horses at his yard in Seaborough near Beaminster.

Reviewer, Rimpton Boy, Rye Brook, Spuddler's Dream and Mouseski have proved to be prolific servants of the West Dorset handler in the past.

Brown Cockle, who will take all the beating in staying ladies' races, and promising Larkhill winner Earth Works also return while Gaye Trigger, unbeaten in five point-to-points to date, may yet develop into a Christies' Foxhunters Chase contender at Cheltenham in the spring.

Owner Ray Geddes has a strong hand, with summer purchases Handy Money and Hautclan joining Oracle Des Mottes and Reviewer.

Several young horses have joined the yard. Alfie Sherrin, named after the just-retired long-standing West Country point-to-point commentator, Now Listen To Me, Royal Rapture and Shaver Baines may be four names for fans to note at this stage.

Two-time ladies champion jockey Rachael Green will once again partner Barber's string while James Ridley will be the yard's novice rider.

Bob Buckler has four horses at Melplash near Beaminster for daughter Carey Buckler to ride.

Phar City and River Reine, who won five races between them last season, are joined by Balbec Leader, in the frame twice in 2007 for trainer Abbi Vaughan, and We Got Him, placed several times under rules for Bob.

Carey Buckler will also ride Ask Henry, a good third in his only outing last season, and Ascot purchase Grandos, who are both trained by her mother Nell Buckler in Gloucestershire.

Askerswell trainer Charlie Fox will campaign Red Brook Lad and Espresso Forte.

As usual, Red Brook Lad is likely to make his seasonal reappearance at the Army meeting as he bids to increase his wonderful record of eight point-to-point and 11 hunter chase wins.

Neighbour Graham Foot will also be campaigning two horses. These are newcomer Lorrelini, a recent purchase from Robert Alner's Droop yard, and Askers Jack, who was in the frame in four of his eight outings in last term.

Cobreces, owned and trained at Stoke Abbott near Beaminster by Lucia Borradaile, will again be in action.

Lucia plans to give Cobreces one point-to-point outing before he attempts a hat trick of wins in Haydock's Walrus Hunter Chase.

Gordon Herrod will race four horses from his Axminster base. Acquired, Weycroft Lad and Bishops Court winner Ability return, and the trio are joined by Boulsdon Boy, a Bredwardine winner for Mark Jackson's Worcestershire stable in 2006 and now owned by the Herrod family.

The Wessex Area point-to-point season kicks off at Larkhill with the Army meeting on January 5 before returning to the course for the second date, and the Royal Artillery meeting, on January 26.

Cattistock Hunt host their meeting at the picturesque Littlewindsor course on Sunday, March 30, before the Seavington Hunt follow up at the same venue on April 20. Both meetings include pony racing.

For more information visit www.pointingwessex.co.uk