{"id":2426,"date":"2024-05-06T16:13:47","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T16:13:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.top10bettingsites.co.uk\/?page_id=2426"},"modified":"2024-05-06T16:13:47","modified_gmt":"2024-05-06T16:13:47","slug":"what-is-point-to-point-racing-and-can-you-bet-on-it","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rulesofsport.com\/betting\/horse-racing\/what-is-point-to-point-racing-and-can-you-bet-on-it\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Point-to-Point Racing and Can You Bet On It?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"What
From BHA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To the untrained eye, it might look as if there are only two types of horse racing: Flat and jumps.<\/p>\n

But there are numerous disciplines within those two broad categories, plus a vibrant amateur scene via point-to-point racing.<\/p>\n

Hugely popular in the UK and Irish countryside, point-to-point races \u2013 or \u2018pointing\u2019 as it\u2019s known colloquially \u2013 enable amateur jockeys to enjoy rides over fences in a lower key setting than at the big professional meetings.<\/p>\n

Pointing has proven to be an excellent proving ground for horses over the years \u2013 indeed, many pointers have gone on to compete in the Grand National, the Cheltenham Festival and on the professional circuit as a whole.<\/p>\n

And it provides a great learning curve for jockeys too. Even by conservative estimates, around half of the professional jockeys in National Hunt racing today started out pointing<\/a>, with the likes of Harry Skelton, Nico de Boinville and former champion rider Richard Johnson cutting their teeth in this sphere.<\/p>\n

This guide includes everything you need to know about point-to-point racing \u2013 including all the rules about betting on these unique races.<\/p>\n

What is a Point to Point?<\/h2>\n
\"Point
Extraordinary at English Wikipedia<\/a>, CC BY-SA 3.0<\/a>, via Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A point-to-point is not unlike any other race you see over fences. The difference here is that the jockeys are all amateurs and the horses are yet to win \u2018under rules\u2019, which basically means in a professional race.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s point-to-point racecourses the length and breadth of the UK, while more established racetracks like Hereford, Hexham and Ffos Las also welcome point-to-point meetings<\/a> from time to time.<\/p>\n

The tracks upon which point-to-point races are held look similar to those you would see at a National Hunt meeting, which turf kept low and fences made out of brush or natural materials like spruce or other forms of greenery.<\/p>\n

A point-to-point meeting is similar to a professional race day that you might have ended. The gates open around two hours before the first race, with an official card confirming all of the runners and riders, their recent form and so on.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll usually get to watch six or seven races on the day too, so pointing represents excellent value at a fraction of the cost of a standard National Hunt meeting.<\/p>\n

Generally speaking, there\u2019s no dress code at point-to-point races either, so you can wear what you feel most comfortable in.<\/p>\n

All of the action is overseen by the Jockey Club\u2019s standards, so you can expect a professional racing experience \u2013 even if the competitors are amateur.<\/p>\n

Another reason to attend a point-to-point meeting if you can is for the possibility of seeing the next generation of talent just starting out \u2013 both the horses themselves and the jockeys in the saddle.<\/p>\n

Best Mate, a three-time Gold Cup champion, started out<\/a> in point-to-point racing, as did another Gold Cup winner in Denman and Arkle champion Simonsig.<\/p>\n

Points winners can be sold at auction for big money to racehorse owners and trainers with deep pockets \u2013 Paul Nicholls paying \u00a3385,000 to secure the services<\/a> of Histrionic in 2023.<\/p>\n

Where Does the Point-to-Point Name Come From?<\/h2>\n

\"Where<\/p>\n

Believe it or not, point-to-point racing actually dates back to the early 1800s.<\/p>\n

Back then, hunters would set up impromptu races while riding \u2013 often, the starting point would be one church spire and the finishing line another a mile or a few miles away\u2026 hence the name \u2018point to point\u2019.<\/p>\n

As the sport has developed, race distances have been upped to three miles or more, with the number of jumps for a point-to-point racing set at a minimum of 18.<\/p>\n

This helps to explain why so many pointing horses go on to compete in cross country races at the Cheltenham Festival, or in renewals contested over the Grand National course at Aintree.<\/p>\n

Who Runs in a Point-to-Point Race?<\/h2>\n

\"BritishThe rules governing point-to-point racing are slightly more relaxed than on the professional circuit, although horses do need to be affiliated with a recognised hunt or racing club and their name registered with the Racing Calendar Office.<\/p>\n

All race organisers need to seek the approval of the BHA too, to ensure that the action meets required safety and welfare standards.<\/p>\n

The rules are pretty flexible on jockeys too, with an owner able to nominate anyone as long as they are aged 16 or older and own a Riders Qualification Certificate (RQC) that is valid for that season. The rider also needs an up-to-date Medical Record Book (MRB), but any individual in possession of these items can ride in a point-to-point race.<\/p>\n

That explains why pointing is so popular with amateur jockeys looking to enjoy the thrill of racing away from the paid sphere, while young riders with aspirations of turning pro can ride at points meetings and get a feel for competitive action without the pressure of big crowds and prize money being on the line.<\/p>\n

How to Bet on Point-to-Point Racing<\/h2>\n

\"HorseCan you bet on point-to-point racing? The short answer is yes.<\/p>\n

You may find odds for the latest point-to-point meetings available via your chosen online bookmaker, while the Tote is another option if you\u2019re looking to have a flutter on the pointing.<\/p>\n

You may also find an on-course bookmaker available at points meetings, depending on the location and the scale of the race day.<\/p>\n

The mechanics of betting on point-to-point racing is the same as for traditional National Hunt action. You can bet on your favourite horses on the nose (win only) or each way, although it\u2019s worth noting that many smaller, independent on-course bookmakers may prefer cash payments over taps of a debit card or smartphone.<\/p>\n

As touched upon, point-to-pointers can also be interesting horses to bet on when they cross over into the National Hunt sphere.<\/p>\n

They are often tough stayers that jump well, with particular expertise in the cross-country discipline. The best pointers will comfortably stay three miles or more on testing ground, so if you see a card featuring a horse that has been successful in pointing, don\u2019t be too quick to write them off over a lack of rules experience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

To the untrained eye, it might look as if there are only two types of horse racing: Flat and jumps. But there are numerous disciplines within those two broad categories, plus a vibrant amateur scene via point-to-point racing. Hugely popular in the UK and Irish countryside, point-to-point races \u2013 or \u2018pointing\u2019 as it\u2019s known colloquially […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":54,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-2426","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","5":"entry"},"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rulesofsport.com\/betting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2426","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rulesofsport.com\/betting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rulesofsport.com\/betting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rulesofsport.com\/betting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rulesofsport.com\/betting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2426"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.rulesofsport.com\/betting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2426\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2432,"href":"https:\/\/www.rulesofsport.com\/betting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2426\/revisions\/2432"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rulesofsport.com\/betting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/54"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rulesofsport.com\/betting\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2426"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}