THE first Sunday in February is always considered a key date in the point-to-point calendar, as a new crop of young equine talent is introduced into competitive action with the first four-year-old maiden races of the new year.

For 2025, Ballinaboola and Bellharbour are once again the venues that will host the first two races in the division for the 2025 crop of four-year-olds, and there is added anticipation of racing returning to the Clare course, as this year, the Co Clare hunt will celebrate 25 years of racing at what is widely acknowledged as one of the most picturesque courses anywhere in the country.