THE MEMBERS Race at the Berkeley Point-to-Point at Woodford is always a competitive affair.

But Wotton-under-Edge-based Geoff Barfoot-Saunt has ridden several of the entries and will be better placed than most to make an assessment of their chances.

Cesium jumped well after a long absence at Andoversford recently but was allowed to go round in his own time and has much more on his plate now.

Possible participants for Amanda Maller include Give a Hoot and Master Mariner and the latter will be bidding to improve on his third place in last year’s contest.

Barfoot Saunt could team up with his own Point-to-Pointer Roley.

The opposition includes Ned the Post who has run well in this event in the past but he is now providing school mastering duties for Abbi Hughes so it would be a major surprise if they could upset their rivals.

That horse’s trainer Ed Walker has Blazing Whale as a viable alternative and this is a far easier task than he might face in the Men’s Open.

One to Note and Frances Poole finished second in this event 12 months ago and will be fancied to go one better this time around, while Gontdevon has struck up a good partnership with Brooke Gardener-Woolley so they have to come into calculations.

Dewi’s Mount is still a Maiden and it is probably asking too much for him to win against more experienced rivals.

It is likely to be a case of horses for courses in both the Ladies and Men’s Opens. Invisible Man won last year’s Ladies Open beating Minella Fifty and Rivazza and those two rivals have a hard task of reversing that form.

Jane Williams has the choice of Hazel Hill or What a Bluff and either would be worthy representatives of her Enville stable. Get it On, Vincitore, Aikideau and All Great N’Theory all have chances but may have to play second fiddle to Awesome George who has yet to be beaten this season.

In the Men’s Open, Iberico attempts to repeat last year’s success and could do so but will have to overcome the challenges of Jack Barber’s Benedictus and Chapoturgeon to do so.

Blackmill is progressing in the right direction but this is a big step up in class and might come too soon in his career.

Kim Smyly’s Minerfortyniner has done all that has been asked of him this season.

He is well regarded and might just be able to pull off the victory.

Whatever the outcome for Minerfortyniner in the Men’s Open, David Maxwell has a good chance of taking the Restricted earlier in the afternoon with Brice Canyon or Big Bad Barry, although it will be no easy task if Celtic Park and Judge John Deed line up.

Kimberlite Candy is unraced but is well related so it would be no surprise to see the youngster get the better of Clo Sacre or Coastal Tiep.