AT a time when concerns over the availability of insurance and its implications for the point-to-point sector continue to dominate discussions, last week’s electric trade in the Cheltenham sales ring certainly came at the perfect time to provide a welcome boost for handlers during this period of uncertainty.

Just under £3.8 million or €4.5 million was traded on Irish point-to-point horses on the evening, highlighting the great appetite that exists currently for young horses that have proven themselves in the Irish pointing system.