The Midlands Point-to-point season kicks off on Saturday 21st January at Revesby Races with a six-race card which starts at midday.

The course at Revesby is easy to find, just off the A155 past the village of Revesby. The What3Words address is diplomats.comet.resettle.

Visitors can expect a range of food and drink options as well as a licensed bar and a number of bookmakers. There will also be a variety of other trade stands to visit between races.

The first of six races is a conditions race for novice riders. Of the 11 entries for this race, two already have wins this season. Tom Ellis has had a good start to this season, with 13 winners to date, and he trains two horses entered in this race but Champagne Noir is the likely runner. Jaisalmer (Miss L. New) won a similar race at Chaddesley Corbett in December. Francesca Poste brings Muckamore, with Harry Arkwright in the saddle, an ex-chaser with good credentials but also a 10lb penalty to carry. Earlshill won a veteran conditions race here last year but hasn't matched that result since, so will be hoping that this is a course that the horse loves. Philip Rowley-trained Jonjoela is one of two horses, the other being Scattercash, to benefit from a 7lb allowance, meaning they will be carrying over a stone less than some other horses. Roc d'Apsis is the oldest horse in the field at 14, but is a very capable hunter/pointer and worth watching. Soldier at War was third behind Bawnmore at Horseheath last time out but may enjoy the slightly quicker ground here at Revesby. Midlands trainer Stuart Morris has Neumond entered here for Judy Wilson.

The Melvyn Leach Open Maiden race follows this and has attracted a good field of 14 entries, so let's hope a good number declare on the day. Two of these, Prince of Newton (Gina Andrews) and Reachingnewheights (Bradley Gibbs) are making their racecourse debuts. Bradley has the option of Not Bad Are You, second on his first run at Chaddesley Corbett, while Gina is also down to ride Walkonthewildside - Jack Andrews may ride one of the Ellis horses. Maskadam (Dale Peters), has shown potential in previous runs and will be looking to score some points towards the Midlands Championship. Holderness trainer Emma Clark has Elusive Secret and Free Choice entered, both with second place finishes to their name, while another Holderness trainer, Karen Clifton, brings Crobally Boy who was fourth on their first run between the flags. Alex Chadwick has the ride on Close Contact and Huw Edwards has Floating Island, both have 7lb allowances in this company.

11 horses are entered for the mixed open race, next, including quality hunter Pont Aven, trained by Jennifer Owen for Tim Gredley and last seen in the Foxhunters under Alex Chadwick. Tommie O'Brien has the ride on Trio for Rio, a classy pointer and one to watch, while Bradley Gibbs trains and rides Fier Jaguen which won unchallenged at Chaddesley Corbett on the 27th December. Dundrum Wood (Miss M. Reeve) and General Arrow (Gina Andrews) make a formidable team for the Tom Ellis yard, making their season debuts, with General Arrow the more likely to run on this ground. Castle Trump is a useful pointer from the East Essex, trained by Rob Cundy for Charles Buckle, but this intermediate may lead the betting in the next instead. Champion Jockey James King has the ride on Kaproyale for Francesca Poste, second to Famous Clermont last time out at Larkhill. Lily Bradstock will be on one of two very capable rides for Sara Bradstock, Myth Buster or Southfield Theatre.

The Spilsby NFU Intermediate race ratings may be led by Rob Cundy-trained Castle Trump (Charles Buckle) if they choose this over the mixed open. The same stable also has the very capable Josh The Plod entered. James King rides Lift Me Up, which has two wins from three runs so far, while Gina Andrews will challenge with Loughan. Dale Peters will fly the Midlands Area flag with My Uncas, twice a winner at Dingley last season. Philip Rowley trains Forest Chimes for Mrs. D. Williams. Ask Dai, the ride of Bradley Gibbs, is a winner already this season and won't be making the trip from Carmarthenshire without a chance.

The next race is part of the Nationally sponsored Retraining of Racehorses and Jockey Club Veteran Horse Conditions series. Of the ten entries here, Braavos, Earlshill, General Custard, Neumond, Roc d'Apsis and Southfield Theatre all have entries in previous races. Of these Southfield Theatre would look like the one to beat. Buster Edwards (Huw Edwards) missed a season last year but is a proven winner of hurdles and one of the younger horses in this field, and Izzie Marsh will ride Knight Bachelor for the Alan Hill stable, another to watch. Vango de Vaigo is trained by Philip Rowley for the McCain-Mitchell family, Jack Andrews makes a welcome return to the Midlands Area as an amateur, this time with Neumond for Stuart Morris and Judy Wilson.

There are ten entries for the last race of the day, a flat race for four and five-year-old horses over a distance of approximately two miles. Only two of these horses have run on a racecourse before. Roseburg (James King) and Clover All Over (Gina Andrews) claim a 7lb allowance, while Quecha (M. Dodd) receives 11lbs and Just Our Milly (M. Dodd) a whopping 18lbs.

With a cold by dry week forecast, we will continue to update going reports via the Midlands Area social media channels and the new Going box on midlandspointing.com. Various different ticket types can be purchased from our website at https://www.midlandspointing.com/tickets/.