Point-to-point racing in the South East has been spiced up for the forthcoming season with the introduction of a number of new horses - including a clutch of homebreds.

Simon Tindall maintains his deep commitment to the sport with a string of 12, trained (and mostly ridden) by Nick Pearce. In the off-season Simon has retired and rehomed six of his horses (see Stable Tour) and brought in five homebreds. His new Open prospect is the 8-year-old LETTERMAN, owned with trainer Edward O’Grady, who has won two hurdle races and a 2m6f ‘chase in Ireland.

Reigning men’s champion Stuart Robinson returns to the fray with a quartet comprising LORD ATTERBURY, MAGNUS VERITAS, PARZANDO and CONTROL MAN, and is expected to take the ride on his father’s multiple winner BEE AN BEE.

Leading lady rider Heather Kemp has added TALLOW BRIDGE and THEOCRITUS to her string, which also includes SOUNDS GOOD and CLOVER BAY.

Marcus Gorman will campaign last year’s champion novice MERRY VIC as well as THE TAILOR CAREY and ONLY VINTAGE alongside newcomers COTTON BAY and DR SPARROW. CAPE STORMER, winner of 13 point-to-points, will only run if conditions suit.

Gardie Grissell has eight in his charge including two good prospects (YOUNG DARNAY and an unnamed 4-year-old by City Honours) which are for sale. MYSON and NO REWARD are amongst a number of exciting possibilities.

Emma Leppard has three newcomers to keep the popular grey CARRYONHARRY company - one is an unnamed 4-year-old homebred out of Little Vera Lynn, while stable jockey Cynthia Haydon has four good ones at home.

Anne Blaker embarks on her final season with Rik Gurney’s injury-prone VALLEY HENRY and others in her yard include newcomer ATTORNEY GENERAL, winner of three hurdles, who has been bought out of Jim Old’s yard by the Sansom family and co-owner Peter Rhodes.

Following a setback, HONOURABLE SPIDER won’t be ready until late February, but rider Pete Bull and his trainer wife Suzie have acquired a new Open prospect, MASTER T, from Gary Moore, and also have high hopes for MASTER ALF, SELF CERTIFIED and BALABLEU. Penny Hacking will be riding GALPIAT DU MESNIL.

Chris Lawson has ten at Priory Racing, headed by Open contenders HATSNALL and FLEETWOOD FOREST.

Former champion Philip Hall is looking forward to getting the promising family horse GET OFF MY CLOUD back to the track after breaking down at Cottenham in 2006. He also has STAR GIFT, WINTER’S BEAU and HIGHLAND CHIEF.