A TOTAL of 37 fixtures have been scheduled for the autumn point-to-point season, a significant increase on the 29 listed for the same period last year.

The new season will start at the earlier date of September 19th and end a week later than usual on December 13th.

The eight additional fixtures have been programmed to accommodate the large number of horses that failed to get an opportunity to run in the spring programme, when point-to-points were stopped in mid-March.

Yesterday the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board said all point-to-point fixtures will adhere to Government guidelines applicable at the time. Consequently, Covid-19 Protocols for holding point to points will be drafted in consultation with IHRB senior medical officer, Dr Jennifer Pugh.

The Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee will now begin liaising with hunts over the coming months and circulate the protocols to all industry stakeholders once finalised.

Following consultation with handlers regarding the numbers of horses expected to run in the autumn season, the provisional summary of races will now be prepared and released in due course.

Dr Pugh said: “While there remains a degree of uncertainty surrounding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic worldwide, I am confident that we will be able to hold point-to-point fixtures as scheduled under our Government’s guidelines.

“Our sport lends itself to the principles of social distancing, being a non-contact sport, staged outdoors and on large sites. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the IHRB on various protocols to assist hunt committees in ensuring the safe return of our sport.”

Martin O’Donnell, senior steward of the INHSC, added: “The stewards appreciate that there will be extra demand for opportunities for point-to-point horses this autumn compared to previous years and this is reflected in the fixture list.

“In an effort to balance the fixture list with the current levels of horses in training for point-to-points, we have widely consulted with all handlers in recent weeks.

“I want to reassure hunt committees that the stewards of the INHSC, the Registrar, Paul Murtagh, and all IHRB staff will assist in every way possible to ensure point-to-points will be held successfully and safely this autumn and beyond.”

  • Full autumn PTP fixture list on theirishfield.ie

    • selected fixtures

    September

    Sat 19 Ormond (F) Southpark, Ballingarry, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. R/H

    Sun 20 Ballymacad (F) Newcastle, Oldcastle, Co. Meath. L/H

    Sat 26 Fermanagh (H) Necarne, Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh. L/H

    Sun 27 Bree (F) Monksgrange, Rathnure, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. L/H

    October

    Sat 3 Mid Antrim (H) 47 Woodside Road, Ballymena, Co. Antrim. L/H

    Sun 4 Westmeath (F) Castletown-Geoghegan, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. L/H

    Sat 10 Iveagh (F) Bells Hill, Maralin, Co. Down. L/H

    Sun 11 Galway Blazers (F) Dartfield, Kilreekill, Loughrea, Co. Galway. R/H

    Sun 11 Muskerry (F) Dromahane, Mallow, Co. Cork. L/H

    Sat 17 Route (H) Loguestown Road, Portrush, Co. Derry. L/H

    Sun 18 Shillelagh & District (F) Fairwood, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow. R/H

    Sun 18 South Westmeath (H) Umma House, Moyvoughly, Moate, Co. Westmeath. L/H

    Sat 24 East Antrim (H) Loughanmore, Dunadry, Co. Antrim. L/H

    Sat 24 Island Hunt (F) Ounavarragh, Courtown, Gorey, Co. Wexford. L/H

    Sun 25 Duhallow (F) Dromahane Dromahane, Mallow, Co. Cork. L/H

    Sun 25 Meath (F) & Tara (H) Dowth Hall, Dowth, Co. Meath. L/H

    Sat 31 Waterford (F) Curraghmore, Portlaw, Co. Waterford. R/H

    November

    Sun 1 Kilkenny (F) Damma House, Kilkenny R95 FR59. L/H

    Sun 1 Limerick (F) Bruff @ Rathcannon Rathcannon, Athlacca, Co. Limerick. L/H

    Sat 7 Tipperary (F) Lisronagh Lisronagh, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. L/H

    Sun 8 Duhallow (F) Kanturk Dromahane, Mallow, Co. Cork. L/H

    Sun 8 Wexford (F) Knockmullen House, New Ross, Co. Wexford Y34 NW96 R/H

    Sat 14 Co. Down (S) Derrydrummuck, Loughbrickland, Co. Down. L/H

    Sun 15 Golden Vale (F) Turtulla, Thurles, Co. Tipperary. R/H

    Sun 15 Wicklow (F) Fairwood, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow. R/H

    Sat 21 North Down (F) Kirkistown, Portavogie, Co. Down. L/H

    Sun 22 Killinick (H) Lingstown, Tomhaggard, Co. Wexford. R/H

    Sun 22 West Waterford (F) Boulta Boulta, Ballynoe, Co. Cork P51 N263. L/H

    Sat 28 Stonehall (H) Moig South, Askeaton, Co. Limerick. L/H

    Sun 29 Carlow Farmers (F) Borris House, Borris, Co. Carlow R95 Y2T1. L/H

    Sun 29 United Hunt (F) Ballindenisk, Watergrasshill, Ballindenisk, Co. Cork. R/H

    DECEMBER

    Sat 5 South Union (F) Kinsale Farrangalway, Kinsale, Co. Cork. L/H

    Sun 6 Kilmoganny (F) Mainstown, Cregg, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary. L/H

    Sun 6 Louth (F) Tattersalls, Fairyhouse, Co. Meath. R/H

    Sun 13 Ballymacad (F) Newcastle, Oldcastle, Co. Meath. L/H

    Sun 13 Laois (F) Stradbally Hall, Stradbally, Co. Laois R32 YC5X. R/H

    Sun 13 United Hunt (F) Clonmult/Dungourney Boulta, Ballynoe, Co. Cork P51 N263. L/H