The new point-to-point horse racing season gets underway in the West Country today (Sunday), with the East Cornwall fixture at Great Trethew, writes Donna Harris.

This promises to be a real thriller, as it is a popular course for young maiden horses to start their careers. Not only will the horses be worth following, the trainers and jockey’s will also be looking to start the season off well. Six races are on the card with an early start time of 11am. The Philip Warren Butchers-sponsored flat race heads up the day, with National Champion jockey James King who will be looking to start his season off well, he is booked to ride Connie May a filly which has the benefit of a mare’s weight allowance.

They could be taken on by Port Nelson who looks an exciting prospect for the Tim Dennis team, and Frozen Account for team Dean Summersby, both on their racecourse debuts.

Then follows two Open Maiden races, the first being the Dawe Hawkin & Dodd & Prydis- sponsored race for four, five, and six year-olds, in which ex National Hunt entry Lady Samson catches the eye, who was previously in training with Peter Bowen. Bang On Target is another ex National Hunt entry and is trained and ridden by Josh Newman who could well start her season off well at this track.

The Kings Head Pub have sponsored the Open Maiden race for Seven year old’s and over, in which Fevertre catches the eye after his second place in a flat race at Buckfastleigh and could be ready to progress for jockey Darren Edwards.

They may come up against Here’s Bingo for trainer Myles Osbourne and jockey Martin McIntyre, who could feature having clocked up a second in a hurdle race at Uttoxeter under rules.

The Ineos Grenadier Mixed Open Race is the feature of the day, and this could be a battle between two promising young lady jockey’s Ella Orrtewell on the prolific winning Monsieur Gibraltar, and Dorrells Pierji, an ex National Hunt entry for Charlotte Summersby to ride.

Monsieur Gibraltar, trained by Will Biddick, won five Points last year and has been a brilliant schoolmaster for many young jockeys over the years. Dorrells Pierji is now with team Summersby, and used to be in training with Dan Skelton, when a recent a winner of two races under rules this summer.

Group Travel sponsor the Novice Riders race in which Charlotte Summersby on Party Tunes could be likely favourite after their second at this course last season. Nikki Steel is another to note having run second at Stafford Cross last season, when ridden by Anna Hylands, who could be the main challenger here.

Finally up is the Toad Hall Cottages-sponsored race in which Call Simon looks to be one to follow out of the Robert Chanin yard, having won a maiden race well at Flete Park last season. Both Dock of The Bay and Catch The Moon could run well on previous form.

The racing starts at 11am, and the clerk of the course says the going is good to soft.

The course offers great track side viewing, along with hot and cold food, bar, bookies and a number of trade stands.

Entrance to the course is £15 per person which includes a race card. Children under 16 free, and dogs on leads welcome.

The course is located at Menheniot off A38 between Saltash and Liskeard. PL14 3PZ. There will be no live streaming at this event. For further information check out www.pointtopointracing.co.uk  or the Devon & Cornwall website www.pointingdc.co.uk