The Stewards of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee (INHSC) have today announced the full provisional summary of Point to Point races for the Autumn 2021 Season. The full programme of races can be viewed by clicking here
The enhanced Autumn Season contains 34 fixtures and will commence on Saturday 25th September and conclude on Sunday 12th December.
Following consultation with Industry Stakeholders, and in a first for Point to Point Steeplechases, a race with a bonus of €3000 sponsored by the INHSC has been programmed at Golden Vale (F) on Sunday 21st November which is confined to Point to Point Handlers who held a Permit during the 2020/21 season and have not trained more than 10 winners under any Rules of Racing or Steeplechasing, including Point to Point steeplechases in any country.
A new Autumn Novice Riders Series sponsored by the INHSC is being introduced which will comprise of the 16 races programmed exclusively for Novice Riders in the Autumn Schedule. Points will be awarded to riders of the first four placed horses in each race with prizes awarded to the top three leading riders. A 5lb claim for Novice Riders who have not ridden more than 5 winners is also being introduced in all Novice Riders Races.
The INHSC will continue to support its promotion of older maidens with the sponsorship of a bonus of €1000 to the winning owners of the 6yo & Upwards Maidens at the Island (F) fixture on Sunday 31st October and Westmeath (H) & Longford (H) on Sunday 12th December respectively.
Commenting on the Autumn 2021 Provisional Summary of Point to Point races, Senior Steward of the INHSC, Martin O’Donnell said:
“The Stewards of the INHSC have released the Provisional Summary of races ahead of the Autumn Season at the earliest possible opportunity so Owners and Handlers can plan campaigns for their horses accordingly. We are delighted to support two new initiatives this Autumn Season, the race for Handlers who have not trained more than 10 winners is a first for Point to Points and I am confident it will be well supported. The INHSC has supported Hunt Committees scheduling Novice Riders races for many years and we are delighted to take a further step forward and sponsor the new Autumn Series for Novice Riders which will further showcase our emerging riders.”