NORTH DOWN (F) at Kirkistown on 08th Feb 2020
First Race: 13.00
Number of Entries: 80
Admission: £5
Preview: Shanavoun Lady looks to follow up her Borris House debut
Kirkistown hosts the second northern fixture of the Spring season on Saturday. The track has produced some smart sorts over the years including Simonsig, Petit Mouchoir, and Agus A Vic.
Hunt secretary Jack Anderson updated us on how preparations are going for the meeting.
“Everything is going well for the weekend. We think the ground will be yielding, yielding to soft in places. So, we hope these ground conditions will attract plenty of runners.
" We are pleased with the entry. There is a good spread of horses across all the races. We will have the usual bar and catering facilities on site. We will also hold schooling after racing finishes.”
For more information and directions click here.
WEST WATERFORD (F) at Tallow on 09th Feb 2020
First Race: 13.30
Number of Entries: 88
Admission: €10 which includes a race card
Preview: Colin Bowe's Sunset West goes in search of success at Tallow.
Tallow point-to-point is hosted on the land of Jimmy Mangan and West Waterford Hunt has been hosting this fixture for what they believe is over 100 years.
On Thursday the point-to-point Chairwoman Gerty Murphy talked us through proceedings:
“We are looking forward to a good days racing, we are pleased with the entry and we hope people will come and support us on the day, we normally get an excellent turnout. There will be something for everyone to do on the day.”
“The West Waterford Hunt will be parading their hounds in between races.
“We will have a dog show on the day and those participating will receive a lucky dip of sweets, so its great entertainment for anyone with Kids.
“There will be a best-dressed man and woman competition, this is the fourth renewal of this competition and it is always very well received by racegoers. The winners of each category will receive a raced themed prize and a hamper from McGrath’s local pharmacy.
“A selection of Country Markets will also be in attendance and there will be a variety of different stalls providing a selection of crafts and foods. There will also be the usual food caterers and hospitality tent onsite.
“We encourage families to come along as there will be lots of entertainment for kids such as face painting.
“A big screen will be there on the day which will provide easy viewing of the racing to racegoers. In between races, the racing from Punchestown will be aired on the big screen.
“I am very involved with racing syndicates and I will be at the point-to-point myself, so I would encourage people to come and see me if they are interested in getting involved in owning a point-to-pointer."
For more information and directions click here.
STONEHALL (H) at Cragmore on 09th Feb 2020
First Race: 13:00
Number of Entries: 102
Admission: €10 and free for U16's
Preview: Lite Duties goes in search of the open hat-trick.
This will be the Stonehall hunt’s second year at Cragmore on the Costello’s Family land and it is a terrific track which has been very well received.
Grade 1 winner Death Duty won his four-year-old maiden here in 2015 and provided Derek O’Connor with his 1000th winner between the flags, making him the first point-to-point rider to ever achieve this remarkable milestone.
Tommy Kelly was kind enough to update us on how preparations are going for the weekend.
“Things are going great for Sunday. The landowner John Costello has looked after the land very well and it is in good condition. The ground at the moment is yielding, yielding to soft in places.
“We have a great committee and we receive plenty of help. We received the highest entry of the weekend, so we are delighted with that.
“We are hoping for six good races, as Cragmore has built up a reputation for being a big galloping track. We will have schooling after racing as well.
“There will be the usual food caterers on site along with a hospitality tent that will provide tea, soup, and sandwiches etc. and all donations received will go towards local charities.”
For more information and directions click here.
WARD UNION (S) at Oldtown on 09th Feb 2020
First Race: 12.00
Number of Entries: 98
Admission: €10
Eircode: A45N 803
Preview: Ucello Conti bids to return to the winners enclosure in the Open.
Oldtown has built up a reputation of being a fine galloping track and has produced some top priced four-year-old maiden winners, one of which includes Flemenshill, who was bought for £480,000 following his debut success at the track.
It is with thanks to William Duffy and the Duffy Family that this wonderful facility has been made available to The Ward Union to host this important meeting on the point-to-point calendar.
Leopardstown Dublin Racing Festival Grade 1 winner Asterion Forlonge won his four-year-old maiden at Oldtwon in 2018 by an impressive six lengths and he is one of many smart performers the track has produced.
Sarah Maxwell informed us how things were going for their fixture on Sunday.
“Everything is on track for Sunday, we have a very good entry of 98. There is a great covering of grass on the track and hopefully there will be a godd turn out on the day.
"We will have two hunt races after racing. We have a flat race and also a jumps race. There will be a perpetual trophy presented to the winners.
"There is a bouncy castle organised and there will also be a lovely organic food stall along with a coffee wagon."
"There will be schooling available after racing from approx. 15.30 - 17.00. Schooling is also available on Monday morning 10th February from 09.00 - 11.00."
For more information and directions click here.
