IT was always apparent from the start of the season that, barring injury or other catastrophe, this would be the campaign in which Derek O’Connor would create more history by becoming the first ever rider to ride 1,000 point-to-point winners.

A successful autumn campaign for him meant that by the end of January, the target was very much within sight and so, being one who delights in watching significant point-to-point events, I had a few Sundays following Derek’s progress which took me to Dungarvan and Conna, two tracks I had not visited in a while, and eventually to Cragmore, Askeaton where the historic victory was finally secured.