WETHERBY'S winter programme of National Hunt action kicks off this afternoon with six cracking races over the jumps at the demanding North Yorkshire track.

The stiff fences means it is not a place for the faint-hearted and one horse who shows no fear at his obstacles is Log On Intersky (4.10), fancied to defy a 179-day absence by winning the Bobby Renton Handicap Chase.

For jumping purists Howard Johnson's gelding represents the very essence of the sport because Log On Intersky really does jump for fun.

He launches himself at every fence with the sort of never-say-die enthusiasm guaranteed to thrill spectators one-and-all.

Detractors of the selection are fully entitled to point out that he has yet to win beyond two-miles.

But the eight-year-old showed he stayed today's longer trip by finishing a valiant runner-up just under 12 months ago at Aintree when narrowly worn down by Sue Smith's Cil Churnian.

The preceding two-mile Handicap Hurdle is being run in honour of Mary Reveley, who has recently retired and handed over the reins to her son, Keith, at their Groundshill Farm base.

Mary had a terrific record at the track and Keith bids to uphold the family tradition by running Maceo in the £15,000 contest. Maceo should by rights make the frame, but preference to fill the winner's berth is Howle Hill (3.35), one of last year's leading juvenile hurdlers.

Normally second-season jumpers such as Howle Hill find the going very tough.

But I think Alan King's Wiltshire raider might be the exception to the rule on account of the superb form and remarkable level of consistency he demonstrated throughout 2003.

Even if Maceo has to play second fiddle to Howle Hill, team Reveley have excellent prospects of compensation via Hernando's Boy (2.25) in the opening Spinal Research Juvenile Novices Hurdle.

Although Hernando's Boy meets Holly Walk on 7lb worse terms for having beaten the latter by two-and-a-half-lengths at Kelso ten days ago, he should be able to confirm the placings, having prevailed with plenty in hand.

Talent spotters at Uttoxeter could do worse than take a peek at Rooster's Reunion (4.25) in the parade ring prior to the Betfred Handicap Hurdle.

If this lightly-campaigned young horse can stay clear of injury this season, then I believe he could develop into championship material.

The basis for the optimistic theory revolves around a spectacular performance put up by Rooster's Reunion at Huntingdon in March when he routed a useful field with contemptuous ease.

Although the records indicate Rooster's Reunion won by only two lengths, first-hand observers reckon David Gandolfo's five-year-old could have stretched the advantage to over six times that distance if jockey Tom Doyle had even waved the whip at his willing mount.