A BY-PRODUCT of that title battle between Kruzhlinin and Longhouse Music has been some uncompetitive races within the open division of late, as the pair seek to keep pace with each other on the leaderboard. The prospect of a long odds-on favourite in a race with just two, three of four runners, offers little appeal for bookmakers or the many once-a-year racegoers that point-to-points so often attract.

The introduction of the champion point-to-point horse title followed the removal of the rule which limited the number of races that an individual horse could win within a single season. With the top three horses having won over 30 races between them this season, some may call for that rule to be re-introduced, but that would be a step in the wrong direction.