Entries on low side but optimism reigns for the season ahead

Britain’s point-to-point season opens this weekend with fixtures in Worcestershire and Cornwall. Entries are not huge but some talented horses will line up and the Point-to-Point Authority’s chief executive Peter Wright is content in light of the dry autumn.

He says: “Few trainers in the south-west have grass gallops so I’m quite pleased, and while entries are relatively low we can expect a high percentage of horses to run. Looking ahead I’m optimistic we'll have a good season.”

Numerous small changes have affected the sport this century as well as foot and mouth and Covid. The horse population is down, costs have gone up and the number of one- and two-horse farmer-trainers has dwindled. Finding a Reg Wilkins with a Double Silk in the barn is like hunting for Nessie.