THE local point-to-point season moves into action on Saturday with the traditional curtain-raising meeting for the North Herefordshire Hunt at Whitwick Manor.

Expectations are high for a good season with many stables having good prospects to follow.

Wolverley trainer Penny Grainger had last season's top local novice pointer in Major Benefit, who was sent to Doncaster Sales after last season but failed to make his reserve.

Major Benefit has already raced and after being carried out on his first run has finished third in a hunter chase.

Grainger confirms: "Of course he is highly regarded but we will just have to see how it goes and how he progresses."

The Eastnor yard of Nicky Sheppard has consistently sent out winners in recent years and among the stable for this season are Rockwelda and Aztec Rule who have some chase form under rules. He also has old campaigners Upton Adventure, a possible for the North Hereford meeting, and Ard Na Carrig who will be kept for the firmer going at the end of the season.

An older maiden that could catch the eye is Wild Blade, formerly with Noel Chance, who has form on the right day.

Riding arrangements for the stable have been confirmed. "We will continue to use the best available in Julian Pritchard, Adrian Wintle and Geoff Barfoot-Saunt," said Sheppard.

National champion Evan Williams is often a frequent visitor to the area and among possible Open horses for him this year are Sparkling Spring, Mr Nemo and Cherry Gold.

Marilyn Scudamore, successful when she trained the Lady Dudley Cup winner two seasons ago, is now based at Bromash near Ross-on-Wye and has five to race from her yard. These include Galway, who was very successful two seasons ago before injury.

Another small stable used to success is that of Janet Hughes with her duo of Rocket Radar and improving novice Cider Man. The latter could prove very useful when he learns to settle easier.

The father and son partnership of Mike and Tim Stephenson at Birtsmorton have a full yard of ten for the start of the season. Among their prospects are Southern Cross who could reappear at Whitwick Manor, maiden Justadream, who had a debut run last season, as well as an un-raced duo in New World Comet and Force Ten. Tim Stephenson will partner the yard's horses as well as those for Clive Hitchings.

Clive Davies reports from his Kimbolton yard: "I've got a stable full of maidens apart from Tina's Adventure who did well for us last year and I'm hopeful I will get a good show out of all of them but they could need time."

Other horses to watch out for include Maggies Brother from Roy Shail's Ledbury yard, while Lorna Brooke aboard Hags Way could score again over some of the area's longer tracks.