No shortage of X factor between the flags as new season gallops into action

Point-to-pointing’s got talent, as it will reveal once again as the season unfurls from this weekend’s 2017-18 opening fixture, which takes place near the village of Ottery St Mary in Devon.

James Bowen, who proved an outstanding prospect in his first season, has turned conditional and landed a job with Nicky Henderson – yet it is Bryony Frost, runner-up to Gina Andrews for the women’s championship, who has soared into view like sunlight flooding a valley. Her smile and cheeky countenance, let alone her talent, have made her an early favourite on the licensed racing scene.

Recent Saturday wins at Cheltenham and Wincanton are proof that seven seasons riding in point-to-points gave her the all-round tools to hold her own against professional jockeys.