POINT-to-point handlers from all over the country are being urged to attend a meeting in the Horse & Jockey Hotel, Co Tipperary, next Wednesday (September 27th) at 8pm.

The meeting has been called by the Irish Point-to-Point Handlers Association with the aim of agreeing on a set of priorities for the sport which can be submitted to the relevant authorities.

Association chairman Gerry Kelleher said: “We need as many handlers as possible to turn up. Personally I believe a further increase in prize money is hugely important in order to attract more owners.”

Other topics likely to come up for discussion include insurance costs and administrative changes being introduced this season by the Turf Club and Horse Racing Ireland.

Following lobbying last year, there was a significant increase in funding for point-to-points of €728,000 giving a total allocation of €2.2m.

Grants for hunts staging point-to-points increased by €2,000 to €6,500 per meeting and minimum prize-money for races other than four-year-old and five-year-old maidens increased from €800 to €1,200 per race.

Kelleher asks that items to be included on the agenda are forwarded to him, Eugene O’Sullivan or Frankie Ward in advance of Wednesday’s meeting.

Tel: 087 2750960 (Gerry), 086 2541398 (Eugene), 087 6722745 (Frankie)