Limerick Course Guide

A right-handed circuit of a mile and three furlongs. There is a steep climb on the latter half of the back straight, before a downhill run on the approach to the straight of three furlongs, which is on a slight incline.

It’s a track that really changes character depending on what the ground is like. On quick ground, a low draw and plenty of pace are essential, as it really is quite an easy test from the top of the hill at the far side thus it can be difficult to make up ground from off the pace. On softer ground, the leading bunch tend to come back that bit more often. It is a great track to front run around if left alone up the hill on the far side.

View from the saddle: Mick Kinane

The new track opened in October 2001. It is a galloping, right-handed oval track with a circuit of over a mile and three furlongs. There is a fairly sharp turn after the winning post then a stiff climb in the back straight before a downhill run to the three-furlong home straight with a slight rise in the final two furlongs. There are seven fences to a circuit of the chase course, five of them in quick succession in the back straight which is situated on the outside of the hurdles track, and there is a run-in of around a furlong.

Quite a tricky track to ride. The climb up the back straight is quite testing and horses need to be given a breather up there if they are to get home well. Plenty of riders seem to kick for home too early on the downhill swing into the straight and pay for it up the final rise in the final furlong. In general, the fences are fair, but the second-last can cause problems and to a lesser extent the last.

View from the saddle: Charlie Swan