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.