IT'S the major racecourse occasion of the year for amateur horse racing in south and west Wales.

Supporters of point to point racing will descend in large numbers on Chepstow Racecourse on Friday evening for the annual running of the Dunraven Bowl Novices' Hunters' Chase.

The race forms the centrepiece of the racing - the first evening fixture of the spring - which also includes five events for professional jockeys. The three-mile hunters' chase is sponsored by the company of David Brace - Dunraven Windows of Bridgend - who has entered his own horse Cape Teal.

One thing is certain. A horse will taste victory on a British racecourse for the first time, for none of the 15 entered has won previously away from the point to point circuit. All are guaranteed a run, with the maximum field set at 16.

Trainer Beverley Thomas is responsible for three of the entries. All of them - Oneofthemongoes, Brave Caradoc, and Ballet Red - are in good form. Top amateur rider Tim Vaughan has been booked for Ballet Red. Only three of the horses entered for the race, which is for the Dunraven Windows S & W Wales Point-to-Point Championship, have run at Chepstow Racecourse before.

Barton Bandit, trained by Sarah Kent just 15 miles from the racecourse at Redwick, took part in the Dunraven Bowl last year, while one has to go back to 2002 to find Classi Maureen's racecourse debut as a two-year-old filly, and Gipsy Girl - also trained locally - ran in a maiden hurdle three years ago.

Not only is tomorrow night the first evening fixture of 2006, it is also the finale to the 2005/6 jump racing season at Chepstow. The season nationally ends less than 24 hours later.

Racing on Friday starts at 5.40pm. Details are available on website www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk; alternatively contact 01291 622260.