The South East point-to-point season is scheduled to start on Sunday at Detling, with the first of six races beginning at noon.

The national season began in November but with adverse ground conditions meetings have had to be cancelled.

With a brighter weather forecast there is optimism that Detling will go ahead, but if in any doubt it would be advisable to ring Talking Point on 09068 446061 before setting out.

A new scheme of sponsorship has been introduced which allows horses to be commercially sponsored.

For the first time owners can receive £450 per horse in exchange for sponsoring a company’s name appearing in the race card and optionally its logo displayed on the paddock sheet.

Sunday’s entries are good with some useful horses entered from away, considering the adverse weather conditions for getting horses fit.

Obviously access to all weather gallops has played a huge part in this.

Punters will need to be cautious until the form works its way through, but there are some attractive horses entered which could well score.

In the Men’s Open, Dante’s Storm, trained and ridden by Phil York, looks the pick, having won on this course last season. We’re Confused could be the danger.

For the Ladies', Tallow Bridge, a winner in Ireland and this country should make his long journey from the Pytchley county worthwhile.

In the SHC Conditions, Race Jack’s Present, who won first time out last season – a very competitive race at Banbury Castle – followed that up with two further wins in the South East and has improved after a good summer at grass and will be hard to beat here.

One of our younger riders, Tom Cannon, partners El Viejo in the Novice Riders’ race and may well get off the mark for the season. Heaven is Above could be the danger.

Entrance by car costs £25 with pedestrians at £5.

The next meeting being held in the South East area will be on Sunday, February 22, at Charing.