EIGTHTEEN months after the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic forced the fixtures at Ballyarthur and Ballyragget to be run without spectators, and with the entirety of the interrupted 2020/21 season taking place behind closed doors, the gates of point-to-point fixtures will again be opened up to all with the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee (INHSC) this week confirming the return of owners, spectators and on-course bookmakers.

This long-awaited day will come at the Ballymacad Foxhounds fixture in Oldcastle next Saturday, which has the honour of kickstarting the 2021/22 season.