Valuable Lingstown Cross Country race open to British runners

The Hearne Line Marking Open Lightweight is set to be one of the highlights of the 2018/19 Irish point-to-point season with new sponsors coming on board to boost the profile of what is the last remaining cross country race to be run at a point-to-point.

This year’s race, which will take centre stage at the Killinick Harriers point-to-point at Lingstown on Sunday 10th March, will be worth no less than €3,050, making it one of the most valuable point-to-point races that will be run this year in Britain or Ireland.

To mark the prize money boost, the Killinick Harriers have opened up the race to overseas runners, and have extended an open invitation to British runners to participate in the race.

Organisers are hoping that the long-established Wexford venue’s close proximity to Rosslare Harbour, and the chance for British handlers to run their point-to-pointers in a cross country race, will prove to be an opportunity that will interest many British handlers.

All horses, four-year-old and upwards, with the exception of four-year-old maidens, holding a valid hunter certificate from any hunt in Ireland, England and Wales, are eligible to run in the three-mile race.

The course at Lingstown, which has held point-to-point racing for 57 years, is right-handed and features a variety of obstacles, including two double banks, up banks, drop banks, bullfinch, spruce fence and tyre fence amongst others, with a total of 24 obstacles jumped in total.

Lingstown is just a 15-minute drive from Rosslare Harbour, which offers a direct sea-link to Wales. Stena Line sail between Fishguard and Rosslare twice daily, whilst Irish Ferries also offer two daily sailings between Pembroke and Rosslare.

British-based entries must be made by telephone, by calling Irish Point-to-Point Services on 00353-885622, with entries closing at 12 noon on Tuesday 5th March.

For further information, please contact the fixture secretary Anita Ronan on 00353-877610459.