Knockanard

TRACK GUIDE

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Knockanard is a big galloping track where the runners begin at the top of the hill and have a relatively short run before facing up to fence one, before turning right-handed to race downhill into the back straight. That is quite a steep descent, however it levels out before the runners reach fence two, before which they bare slightly left-handed around a curve in the straight.

After jumping fence two, the runners are faced with a climb as they race towards fence three, the second of two fences in the back straight, before turning right-handed around the home bend. Fence four comes up quite quickly, with the home straight curving gradually to the left up to the winning post, descending gradually from the winning line to fence five. The runners are quickly turning after the fifth, beginning a very long and gradual bend that takes them back to their point of departure and out into the country on their second circuit. The opening four-year-old maiden on the card is typically run over the shorter 2m4f trip, with that race starting adjacent to the first fence in the back straight.

Unsurprisingly, for a course with such a long and rich point-to-point history, many star names have featured at Knockanard over the years, including Grade 2 winner Up For Review, Joaaci, Leinster National winner Benefit Night, in addition to Grade 3 winners Footy Facts and For Bill.