CARBERY (F) at Bandon on 07th March 2020
First Race: 13.30pm
Number of entries: 73
Admission: €8 and U16s are free
Preview: Cailin Dearg looks to follow up her fine third at Carrigarostig.
Bandon point-to-point was cancelled last Sunday due to weather conditions and is rescheduled for this Saturday 07th March.
The track is located a short half an hour drive from Cork city, in Kilpatrick. The venue is steeped in racing history with the Carbery Hunt having held point meetings at this location for over thirty years.
Hunt secretary Catherine O'Driscoll spoke with us during the week to update us on the fixture’s preparations.
"All the preparations have been going great and we are ready to go for Saturday. We had our inspections this morning and the ground is heavy, soft to heavy in places. The weather forecast is not too bad for the next couple of days, it is mostly dry.
“Bradfield catering who are based in Cork will be onsite and they will be providing hot food and refreshments on the day."
For more information please click here.
LIMERICK (H) at Ballycahane on 07th March 2020
First Race: 13.00pm
Number of entries: 103
Admission: €10 and U16s are free
Preview: Longhouse Music bids to return to the winners’ enclosure
Ballycahane was cancelled last Sunday due to weather conditions and is rescheduled for this Saturday 07th March.
The Limerick Harriers, a local farmers hunt dating back to 1860, will host their second year at their new point-to-point track this Saturday at Crecora. The venue owned by the Furnell family is no stranger to equestrian action with multiple Eventing Ireland events being hosted here each year.
We caught up with hunt secretary Marie Wheeler to ask how the weekends preparations are going.
"Our new track was well received last year by racegoers; it is fairly flat and is great for spectator viewing. It was disappointing that the fixture had to be postponed but we are all systems go now.
“We had our course inspection this morning and the ground is yielding, soft places, so it is in great condition and there are only showers forecasted for the weekend.
“There will be a hospitality tent on site, the food will be free but there will be a donations box for people to contribute to our chosen charity if they wish.”
For more information please click here.
EAST DOWN (F) at Tyrella on 07th March 2020
First Race: 14:00pm
Number of Entries: 89
Admission: £5
Preview: Like A Demon bids to return to the winners’ enclosure
The East Down Foxhounds point-to-point track is located beside the beach and underneath the picturesque Mourne Mountains. The course is an undulating right-handed track with sandy soil given its proximity to the sea.
Hunt secretary Kelvin Henderson updated us on how the preparations are going.
"The course is in good condition and it has been approved by the turf club this morning. The ground is good, good to yielding in places.
"The preparations are going well; we received a very encouraging entry and we are particularly pleased with the numbers in the auction race and it should be a really interesting contest.
“We will have a chip van and coffee bar along with a licensed bar onsite. Schooling will be available after racing finishes.”
For more information please click here.
PREMIER (H) at Turtulla on 08th March 2020
First Race: 13:30pm
Number of Entries: 140
Admission: €10
Preview: Champagne Beauty goes in search of a second success between the flags
The course at Turtulla first saw point-to-point racing take place during the autumn 2017 campaign, as the latest course for the Golden Vale's, a hunt which have hosted racing at a number of venues including Thurles Racecourse.
We spoke with hunt secretary Susan Long to find out how preparations were going for Sunday.
"The preparations are going well, and the course will be inspected tomorrow. There is a good cut of grass on the track and the weather forecast seems to good for the weekend, so hopefully that is the case.
"We are delighted with the entry; they are up on last year and we are grateful to our sponsors and our volunteers for all of their efforts and continued support.
"We will have caterers on site, who will provide hot food and refreshments, so hopefully it will be an enjoyable days racing for everyone. Our local committee will be providing the catering also."
For more information and directions to Turtulla click here.
WEST WATERFORD (F) at Lismore on 08th March 2020
First Race: 13:30pm
Number of Entries: 102
Admission: €10 including card and U16's are free
Preview: Lite Duties bids to regain the winning thread with a win here.
Sunday is a historic day for the meeting as it is the last day that racing will take place on the current track. Racing has been taking place here for over a hundred years.
The course is considered one of the best in Ireland and has been a nursery for many a Cheltenham and Aintree winner such as Florida Pearl, Best Mate, Minnehoma and Present View. Trainers, Jockeys and Owners rate very highly a win at Lismore. Many a horse that has won there has gone on to be very successful at the sales.
Local trainer Jimmy Mangan rode his first winner here in 1972 here in Lismore.
During the week we caught up with hunt secretary Marie Doocey.
"Everything is organized for Sunday and the Turf Club inspection will be taking place tomorrow (Friday). There is plenty of grass on the track and we are thrilled with the entry of 102.
"Racing has taken place at this farm since 1919, and the Devenish family who own the land, will present a trophy to the winner of the ne unplaced maiden race to commemorate over 100 years of racing.
"I would like to say a massive thank you to our volunteers for all of their hard work and to our sponsors for their continued support. Without the help of everyone that is involved, this meeting just wouldn't be possible."
"Kearney's chip van will provide catering for spectators and our committee will provide refreshments for all of the volunteers on the day."
For more information and directions to Lismore click here.
KILLINICK (H) at Lingstown on 08th March 2020
First Race: 13:00pm
Number of Entries: 105
Admission: €10
Preview: Costalotmore looks to follow up his fine second at Cork last April
Home to the Killinick point-to-point since 1962, Lingstown has also hosted fixtures for the neighboring Bree, Island and Wexford hunts over the years, and benefits from its coastal position and sandy soil composition to often produce drier ground than may be the case at other tracks at the same time of the winter.
Over the year’s stars have been produced here including the 2017 Aintree Grand National winner, One For Arthur and the former Kerry National winner Rath Of Titans.
Lingstown has been a successful hunting ground for the Wexford trainers of Colin Bowe, Denis Murphy and the Doyle brothers, to name but a few. There are two meetings held there each season, one in November and one in March. They hold their banks race at each fixture which is always a great spectacle to watch.
Anita Ronan kindly filled us in on how the preparations for the point-to-point were coming along.
"The preparations are going great. The highlight of the day will be the banks race which is worth €3,000. We were thrilled to receive the 13 entries for that race, and it was great to get a large entry across the whole day as well.
"There will be complimentary tea, coffee, soup and sandwiches served in the shed for all on the day."
For more information and directions to Lingstown click here.
