Horse racing betting naturally focuses on big events like Cheltenham or the Grand National each year — but what many racing punters overlook is the rich seam of amateur races that litter the UK and Irish racing scene all year round.
Amateur jockeys are always looking to impress in amateur races, while hopeful owners may be crossing their fingers when their horse bursts onto the scene.
One of the most prestigious amateur race types is the point-to-point, and horses that cruise to victory here are called point winners. But what are point-to-point races all about, and why are they great to bet on? Here, Paddy Power explains all…
WHAT IS A POINT-TO-POINT RACE?
A point-to-point race is an amateur event held at meetings up and down the country — sometimes at country fairs or to coincide with a trade fair. The racing standard is low but remains competitive, which means you can bet on point-to-point races in the knowledge that the odds genuinely reflect the standard of each horse.
WELCOME TO PADDY POWER NEWS!
Amateur jockeys ride on hunting horses, which must be thoroughbred in order to compete, over fences. This is not National Hunt horse racing but it certainly boasts familiarities with the elite level.
Many owners field their horses for the fun of watching them run, as there is little prize money in point-to-points. These races are reasonably popular in the UK but it is Ireland where the big point-to-points take place.
Horses that win their first point race often sell for big money (Image: GETTY)
SO, WHAT IS A POINT WINNER?
A point winner is therefore a horse that has won a point-to-point. Horses that win their first point-to-point race are usually sold for a high price. In Ireland, this can often lead to horses progressing to win major races later in its career.
BETTING ON A POINT RACE
You can bet on hundreds of point-to-point races each year in the Paddy Power sportsbook. There are over 100 point-to-point race meetings in the UK every season and plenty more in Ireland — so you can be sure to find a race that’s right for you when scouring the racing betting markets.
You are also likely to see some less familiar race courses staging point-to-point meetings. The likes of Revesby Park, Larkhill and Askham may not be top of most horse racing betting bucket lists. But these are wonderful, small venues for which to enjoy exciting racing during the colder months of the year.
- What does it mean when a horse is On the Bridle?
- What is a Black type horse race?
- What are the different types of going in horse racing?
- What is a bumper horse race?
- What are blinkers and why do some horses wear them?
- What is an Allowance Race in horse racing?
- What is the difference between hurdles and fences in National Hunt racing?
- What is a halter and why do some horses wear them?
- What does it mean when a horse has spread a plate?
- What is the Rule 4 betting rule in horse racing?
- What is the difference between graded, handicap and selling horse races?
- What does a novice hurdle in horse racing mean?
- What is a listed horse race?
- What does a novice chase in horse racing mean?
- Why do race horses have different ratings and what do they mean?
- When does the National Hunt season start and when does it end?
- Why are there different grades of horse race?
- Why are there 3 different types of National Hunt race?
- Why are race horses given different weights and what does it mean?
- How many different classes of horse race are there?
- What is a claiming race and what do they mean?
- What is an optional claimer in horse racing?
- What is a shadow roll and why do some race horses wear them?
- Why do some races start from stalls and some not?
- What is the difference between Derby and Oaks races?
- What does it mean when a horse knuckles during a horse race?
- What is a stayer in horse racing?
- What is a yearling horse and when are they ready to race?
- What does a maiden mean in horse racing?
- How are horses’ ages calculated and why is it not the same as humans?
- What advantages do apprentice jockeys get when riding against professionals?
- What is a conditional jockey?
- What does the term ‘connections’ mean in horse racing?
- Why do some horses wear cheekpieces?
- Who are the stewards in horse racing?
- What does ‘weighed in’ mean at the end of a horse race?
- What is a nursery race?
- Why are some National Hunt races run without fences?
- Why are some horses given a tongue tie during races?
- What does it mean when a horse is ‘pushed out’?
- How are horse racing ratings calculated?
- What does it mean when a horse has a ‘wind operation’?
- How high are the fences and hurdles in horse racing?
- What is an apprentice jockey?
- What is a Bull Ring in horse racing?
- What does the phrase ‘Look of Eagles’ mean in horse racing?
- Why do some horses wear a ‘weight cloth’ during races?
- What is the Triple Crown in horse racing?
- What is a Steeplechase race in horse racing?
- How high are the Cheltenham Festival fences and hurdles?
- Why is the Champion Chase named after the Queen Mother?
- Why does Cheltenham racecourse have an Old Course and a New Course? What’s the differences between the two?
- What is the Cheltenham roar? What difference does it make in races?
- Why are there no jumps in the Cheltenham Festival Champion Bumper?
- How many fans usually attend the Cheltenham Festival? How big is the capacity?
- What is a juvenile in horse racing?
The latest Cheltenham horse racing odds are on PaddyPower.com now
THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
LIKE PADDY POWER NEWS? OR MAYBE YOU JUST LIKE TO WHINGE? TELL US WHAT YOU THINK IN OUR READER SURVEY
