THIS year's local point-to-point season kicks off this weekend with the traditional opening fixture at the Chad-desley Corbett track hosted by the Harkaway Club.

Hanley Swan trainer Andy Hobbs and his principal owner Clive Hitchings have a strong hand with his proven performers St Reverien and Lindberg Law while the useful Pre-mium First will probably be aimed at hunter chases.

Others to watch out for in the stable include the ex-Irish maiden All Thyne Greats and Springbrook Girl, while Eury-alus should again prove worth following later in the season on better going.

Former point-to-point jockey Mike Hammond is making his mark as a trainer under Rules, following his switch from poi-nting and his wife Zoe has taken charge of the point-to-pointers at their Lower Broa-dheath training yard.

Although she has a reduced string it would be no surprise to see Kings Reply follow up his two placings last year this season, while Sabena Canyon could score later in the campaign.

One familiar name missing this season will be that of Ledbury based ex-champion jockey Julian Pritchard who was forced into retirement following a serious injury.

However, his old sparring partner Tim Stephenson has half a dozen to race from his Castle Morton yard this year including Up Our Street.

Maiden Grey Image and Ticnock should be see success, while North Herefordshire ha-ndler Richard Mathias is ade-pt at finding opportunities for his ex-Irish purchases and it would be no surprise for him to produce Handofharpersto-wn to score, on the basis of the mare's second place last season at Howick.

Shobdon trainer Steve Flook continues to find winners in both pointing and hunter chases and his Ryhope Chief, Lanciene and Fantastic Cham-pion have all run well already this season and fellow trainer Car-oline Walker has two useful recruits in Amadeus and Lord Alfred. Upton-upon-Severn trainer Claudia Wile-smith usually places her runners to good effect and it may be worth considering Run for Chur-chtown and Inch Royal.

Harkaway Club - Chaddesley Corbett (Feb 3); North Hereford - Whitwick Manor (Feb 16); Duke of Beaufort's - Didmarton (Mar 1); Ross Harriers - Garnons (Mar 2); Brecon & Talybont - Llanfrynach (Mar 9); South Herefordshire - Garnons (Mar 16); Teme Valley - Brampton Bryan (Mar 22); North Cotswold - Paxford (Mar 24); Croome & West Warwickshire -Upton-upon-Severn (Mar 25); Ledbury - Maisemore Park (Mar 30); Monmouthshire - Llanvapley (Apr 5); North Ledbury - Maisemore Park (Apr 6); Cotswold - Andoversford (Apr 6); Wheatland - Chaddesley Corbett (May 11); Clifton on Teme - Upper Sapey (May 18); Ludlow - Bitterley (Apr 12); Worcestershire - Chaddesley Corbett (Apr 19); Cotswold Vale Farmers - Andoversford (Apr 20); Berkeley - Woodford (Apr 26); United Pack - Brampton Bryan (Apr 26); Radnor & West Hereford - Cold Harbour (May 3/4); North Ledbury - Maisemore Park (May 5); Wheatland - Chaddesley Corbett (May 11); Golden Valley - Bredwardine (May 17); Albrighton Woodland - Chaddesley Corbett (May 26).