Courses

Lismore

Track info

County: Waterford

Soil Type: Brown Earth - coarse loamy

Fences per circuit: 5

Fences per 3 mile race: 14

Direction: Left-Handed

Course Distance:

Elevation Change (Highest to Lowest Point):

TRACK GUIDE


A big galloping track consisting of four quite evenly sized straights, the Lismore Castle Estate has been the home to the annual Lismore point-to-point since 1923.

Runners begin at the end of the home straight and race notably downhill along the side of the course on a long run to the first fence, as this straight is the only one of the four straights where no fences are jumped. It is only after the runners turn left-handed into the back straight that they jump the first obstacle. In total, there are two fences positioned along the back straight, and they are nicely spread out, with the second fence coming just prior to the bend into the side of the course.

This begins the climb for home, with fence three coming quite quickly after the bend. After racing through the gap, the runners jump fence four. These two fences along the side of the course, are the final two obstacles on the last circuit, as the runners take the home bend on the climb into the home straight and pass the winning post before jumping another fence. Fence five comes up after the winning post bringing the runners to their starting point to complete a lap of the course at Lismore.

The ten-time Grade 1 winner Florida Pearl is the undoubted star graduate of Lismore, with the likes of Grade 3 Haydock Grand National Trial winner Bishops Road and Cheltenham Festival winner Present View, other horses to have won their maidens at the course.

JOHN BARRY

Lismore is a fine big galloping track.

There is a good long run from the last home. It is a bit like Aintree that you jump the last and go around the elbow to get into the home straight.

It is not a place that you would want to be in front too early. Sometimes if you are there a good way from home, a horse can prick their aul ears and pull-up going to the line as they get lonely in front.