PNicholls

The point to point season is about to start in earnest - there was a big meeting at Larkhill this weekend - and it is an increasingly important area for bringing along raw and talented youngsters. Horses and jockeys!

When time allows, I love nothing more than going point to pointing, and I went to Weybridge to see my nephew Harry Derham ride earlier in the season.

This weekend a whole host of my lads - the likes of Jack Barber, Ryan Mahon, Harry, Dan Collins, David Prichard - will probably be in action. And my PA Sarah West will be in action again soon on her horse Ask Again.

I share a number of young jumping prospects in England and Ireland, and they are housed with Richard Barber and Chloe Roddick in England and Liam Burke in Ireland.

Points are responsible for giving our horses invaluable experience before coming to us. From See More Indians and See More to Business to Aiteen Thirtythree, the benefit is there for all to see; remarkably, they all won the same maiden at Larkhill.

And it is an increasingly competitive sphere and big business, as well as being a great grounding for the horses. And, at last, the English point to pointers are getting as much credit as the Irish ones.

If you like your point to pointing, here are five names to look out for in the coming weeks: Buck's Bond, Mendip Express, Dualla Lord, Glass And A Half and Festive Present.

The former is related to Big Buck's and has already won a point in the spring. I hope he could be useful, though I have to declare an interest as he is part owned by myself and Anthony Bromley. And he is for sale at the right price!

While on the subject, I want to get Just Amazing and Ornais qualified for the Cheltenham Foxhunters, so I better get cracking on that project.

It would be great if they could make it to Cheltenham in March.