THE Point-to-Point Handlers Association has welcomed the addition of a point-to-point race day at Fairyhouse next month which has been introduced to compensate connections for the loss of a number of key track opportunities in the spring.

The late spring track programme typically provides the bulk of the opportunities for point-to-point handlers to run their horses under rules, with the likes of the Easter Monday fixture at Cork hosting five races for horses with a hunter certificate, and three further races each at the Punchestown Festival and Tipperary in May, all of which were claimed last season by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Following the cancellation, a request for a replacement autumn track fixture featured among a number of proposals in a submission from the association to the IHRB and Horse Racing Ireland earlier this year, and following the efforts of those two bodies the fixture will now take place on Tuesday November 19th at the Co. Meath venue.

Gerry Kelleher, chairman of the association explained the need for the new fixture following the spring cancellations.

“Not only was it a big loss to the racecourses but it was a loss to the handlers. Those meetings are the point-to-point people’s Cheltenham and having lost so much last season, it now gives anyone who has a mare or gelding that they might want to run in the bumpers or the couple of hunter chases, it gives us all a chance at those races,” he said.

“We are deeply appreciative of HRI, the IHRB and Fairyhouse racecourse for putting the fixture on. It is great for the small man to be running at a Grade 1 track and the feedback that I am getting from handlers is that they are really looking forward to it.

A total of three hunter chases and two point-to-point bumpers, one each for mares’ and geldings, will take centre stage at the course which is home to the Joseph O’Reilly Hunter Chase each spring, and Kelleher feels the take up for the two point-to-point bumpers in particular will be strong given the current circumstances.

“I am actually aiming my Fame And Glory filly (No Fame No Game) at the mares’ bumper on the card. The prize money alone is brilliant. The two bumpers are worth €15,000 each which is massive for the smaller handler to think that they would have a chance of winning a first prize of around €9,000 in those races.

Incentive

“It is a great incentive for someone who might win a mares’ maiden over these early weeks of the season but may only be getting a handy offer to buy her. They can decide to hang on and go for the bumper for a chance at the prize money and even if you get placed in the race you will have a very good chance of selling the horse afterwards.

“There is so much uncertainty with the Covid situation, that buyers are possibly wary of investing, so these races give people options.”

The seven-race card will be solely restricted to qualified riders, with the first of two hurdle races on the programme also being confined to those riders that are eligible to ride in novice rider races in point-to-points.

That platform for the sport’s newer riders follows on from the very welcome decision to reduce the cost of a qualified rider’s licence from €500 to €375 for first time applicants thanks to the support of the IHRB and the Qualified Riders Association.

Reflecting on the opening nine fixtures of the new season which have featured increased entry numbers and strong compliance with the new Covid-19 protocols, Kelleher is quick to praise the efforts of the IHRB and organising hunt committees on a job well done.

“It has been very professionally organised. Everyone that I have spoken to has been very impressed with everything that has been in place and going forward we are very hopeful that it will keep going. It was brilliant to see Sam Curling and Aidan Fitzgerald sponsoring another race at Dromahane last weekend. Everybody is very positive and behind the game,” he added.

Fairyhouse Point-to-Point Race Day Card

€9,500 2m 4f Handicap Hurdle (80-95) (For Qualified Riders who have not lost 7lb claim and are Novice Riders for point-to-points)

€11,000 2m 4f Handicap Hurdle (For Qualified Riders who have not lost 7lb claim)

€9,000 2m 7f Mares Maiden Hunters Chase

€9,000 2m 7f Maiden Hunters Chase

€13,500 2m 7f Hunters Steeplechase

€15,000 2m Bumper (Mares) (placed in Pt-to-Pt since 5/10/19)

€15,000 2m Bumper (C & G) (placed in Pt-to-Pt since 5/10/19)