'Italia 90 moment' in Ireland at risk of being lost by government inaction

The man who unearthed this season’s Gold Cup winner Minella Indo believes the performance of Irish point-to-point graduates at last week’s Cheltenham Festival should have been a watershed moment but fears insufficient understanding at government level is costing the sector dearly.

The Irish point-to-point season remains in limbo after being suspended on January 13, with April 5 the earliest possible resumption date, and concerns are growing about irreparable damage to the industry if it does not resume swiftly, with leading point-to-point handlers lobbying hard for a return.

John Nallen, who bought Minella Indo as a foal, said: “There is a lack of understanding of the industry and that is what’s killing us. Last week was our Italia '90 but now the government are telling us we can’t play ball."