TODAY marks the return of point-to-points to their usual venues for the first time since mid-December when the Tipperary Foxhounds host a meeting at Lisronagh.

It follows weeks of sensitive talks between the Department of Agriculture, Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee. On Tuesday and Wednesday entries were taken for three weekend meetings on the understanding that hunts should be “racing ready” if Government approval was forthcoming.

Yesterday a HRI spokesperson told The Irish Field: “We were very grateful that the Government allowed point-to-point racing resume in April and, as part of that return, a review of the resumption was required after three weekends.

“That review told us that these events are being safely run behind closed doors under strict Covid-19 protocols and so we are happy that the final four weekends of the season can take place at venues authorised by the INHS Committee, on behalf of HRI, and will include races for horses aged six and upwards.”

Co Fermanagh trainer David Christie specialises in open races for older pointers and said: “It’s been a very difficult time for the owners of these horses. A few times we have been close to sending horses out to grass, as we the return of point-to-points kept being delayed, but we kept them ticking away. The ground has dried up now, so it will be a tricky time, but we will take what we can get.”

Sunday’s meeting is in Dromahane and Monday’s fixture is at Dawstown. The Irish Field understands that next weekend will see fixtures staged by the Mid-Antrim, South Westmeath and Duhallow (Kanturk) hunts.