THERE is no doubt that the sport of point-to-point racing is very grateful to Horse Racing Ireland for increasing the amount of money available to boost prize money. That this money is going to the owners of older horses will encourage them to keep their horses running between the flags which is important because spectators are attracted to meetings which feature horses with which they are familiar.

Nowadays, so many of the younger horses which use our grassroots meetings to advertise their potential are seen just the once, and are then sold and do not reappear in points.