The Stewards of the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee (INHSC) have today announced the full provisional summary of Point to Point races for the Spring 2023 Season. The full programme of races and qualifying conditions can be viewed on the Point to Point section of the IHRB website.
 
The Spring 2023 Season contains 73 fixtures with 438 races programmed, which is 5 less fixtures when compared to the Spring 2022Season. Despite the decrease in the number of fixtures, a total of 77 four-year old maiden races have been programmed which mirrorsthe amount programmed in the Spring 2022 Season. 20 four-year old maiden races for mares will take place, with the first race for spring four-year old Mares scheduled at Duhallow (F) Kildorrery on Sunday 19th February. 4 Auction Maidens for four-year olds, confined to horses sold at a recognised National Hunt Store Sale in Ireland or Great Britain in 2022 for €25,000 or less have been programmed, commencing at the new Streamstown (H) fixture on 19th March. The Tattersalls May NH Sale which took place on 26thMay in Newmarket has been added to the existing list of recognised NH Store Sales, for qualification purposes.
 
5 Open Lightweights which exclude horses that have won a Grade 1, 2 or 3 Hurdle or Steeplechase at any time, have been programmed and these races will take place on:
                

• Friday 30th December - Duhallow (F) Kanturk                                 
• Saturday 18th February - Ward Union (S)
• Sunday 19th March - Streamstown (H)                                          
• Monday 10th April - East Antrim (H)
• Sunday 7th May - Kilkenny (F)

The INHSC will continue with its support to promote and retain 6yo and older horses competing in Point to Points. The winning Owner of the following four races will receive a €1,500 bonus:
 

The INHSC sponsorship for 6yos and older horses will conclude with a €5,000 race which is scheduled to take place on Sunday 30thApril at Muskerry (F) in the Winners Race,  which is also open to maidens placed in a Point to Point since 1st October.

Two 5yo & Upwards Maiden Races for Handlers that have trained 10 winners or less and held a Point to Point Handlers Permit last season are scheduled to take place at Killinick (H) on Sunday 12th March and at Doneraile (H) on Sunday 16th April. The INHSC will sponsor a €1,500 bonus to the winning Owner of each race and the winning Handler will receive a trophy.
 
To incentivise Hunt Committees to programme opportunities for Novice Riders, the INHSC will contribute a total of €11,850 to 18 races in the Open Lightweight & Winners categories and 15 races in the Maiden race category. A minimum of one race for Novice Riders has been programmed on each of the 21 weekends throughout the season. The INHSC will also sponsor a Spring Novice Riders Series in 2023, this series contains 33 races for riders who have not ridden more than fifteen winners. The winning rider of the Spring Novice Riders Series will receive a voucher for €1,000, while the second and third placed riders will receive vouchers for €300 and €200, respectively.
 
Commenting on the Spring 2023 Provisional Summary of Point to Point races, Martin O’Donnell, Senior Steward of the INHSC said:“Following feedback from Industry Stakeholders, the extensive programme for Spring four-year old Mares will commence a week earlier than has traditionally been the case up to now. We have also noted representations regarding Open Lightweights,consequently, the number of Opens which exclude Graded racecourse winners has been expanded from two to five. Commencing onthe opening day of the Spring Season at the Duhallow (F) Kanturk fixture on 30th December, one race in this category has also beenprogrammed each month from February to May. The INHSC is proud of its portfolio of sponsorship in Point to Points, whether that beraces for older maidens, Handlers that have trained no more than 10 winners or our long standing commitment to supporting races for Novice Riders as well as the more recent Novice Riders Series. In total the INHSC’s sponsorship for Point to Point races including the Novice Rider Series will amount to €25,600 in the Spring Season. Finally, the Stewards would like to wish all participants a safe and successful Spring Season”.