TOM MALONE has long been one of the leading purchasers of horses to emerge from the Irish point-to-point fields.

The former professional jockey, who has gone on to establish himself as a leading bloodstock agent, has sourced winners of both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Aintree Grand National from this sphere. His appetite for Irish point-to-pointers remains as strong as ever, with Malone signing for 23 of them at public auction last season alone.