THE South Dorset Point-to-Point have a big entry of 148 horses for their meeting on Sunday (January 29) at the popular Milborne St Andrew course between Dorchester and Blandford.

The large entry has resulted in the first race being divided and an earlier planned start of noon.

The weather forecast suggests a thaw in the frosty conditions and the current going report is good and good to soft in places.

The highlights of the meeting are the two Open races and the first of these, the Ladies Race, has attracted a high-quality entry of 18 horses.

The veteran Caid Du Berlais, who has now celebrated his 14th birthday and remains unbeaten in his eight point-to-points to date, will be partnered by Natalie Parker, his regular rider.

It will take a good rival to lower his colours but Born Survivor, winner on his pointing debut at Larkhill, might give him a battle if he decides to swerve his entry at Larkhill the day before. A classy horse under Rules he was Santini’s training partner last season but he has the chance to give Chloe Emsley another notable victory.

Others to consider are the consistent Beau du Brizais, who is likely to be ridden by the promising Molly Landau, but this will be his seasonal debut; Sixteen Letters, who won Ladies races last season for Lucy Turner; Rhythm Is A Dancer, who will improve for his seasonal debut at Larkhill; the ex-Kim Bailey trained One For Rosie, now with Jason Maguire who won two of his four chases; and course specialist Tom Barton, who has yet to show his best form this season.

An equally competitive Men’s Open race follows and both One for Rosie and Sixteen Letters hold entries in this race.

Singapore Saga won well at Wadebridge and was the only horse to give Envious Editor a race at the first Hunter Chase at Taunton earlier this month.

Kaproyale was no match for Famous Clermont at Larkhill but does not meet a potential rival of that level in this race.

Trio for Rio was in good form last season but pulled up on his seasonal debut at Knightwick.

Pride of Lecale is the potential pointing training debut for former jockey Noel Fehily and this winning chaser is worth noting.

Country Legend has a good record at Milborne and won on her seasonal debut last season, and will certainly give a good account of herself.

Will Biddick may introduce the ex-French trained Macklin and this gelding owned by John Studd who also owns the Cheltenham Hunter Chase winner Porlock Bay is definitely one to watch.

The Milborne St Andrew racecourse is off the A354 between Dorchester and Blandford, post code DT11 0JX. The first race is at noon and the cost of entry is £15 with under-16s free.