The first Wessex Area Point-to-Point meeting of the New Year at Larkhill proved an exciting one. DA7162P09TRAINER Richard Barber enjoyed a winning double as the 2005 Wessex Area Point-to-Point season got underway at Larkhill on Sunday.

Tales Of Bounty was first past the post in the day's opening contest, beating Strong Tea, the only other challenger in the Army Saddle Club Members race, by fully 20 lengths.

Owner Ray Geddes said he may now attempt to repeat last year's success in the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Memorial Hunter Chase at Sandown on March 11.

Barber's second victory arrived when evens favourite Classify, under Nick Williams, won the second division of the Open Maiden.

Ollie Jackson enjoyed a victorious start to her training career when five-year-old Moonshine Surprise provided one of the day's highlights to take Division One.

The David Pipe-owned horse beat the 6-4 favourite Trade Off by a head.

There was also a thrilling finish in the Ladies Open race when Upton Adventure and Emma James denied both Red Brook Lad, a winner in 2003, and last year's victor Rimpton Boy.

There were celebrations closer to home in the final race when 6-1 shot West Paces, trained at Winter-slow by Sharon Brown for her neighbours Steven and Sarah Dixon, was a comfortable ten lengths ahead of Questionit at the line.

An Irish point-to-point winner in 1999 and in the frame four times under rules for Toby Balding, West Paces could well be one to consider again if it reappears at Larkhill again this season.

Larkhill's next event is on Saturday, January 29 when the venue stages the Royal Artillery meeting.