Ballygogue House all set to host first point-to-point

Image © Healy Racing

Preparations are stepping up a gear for the Laois Foxhounds as they prepare to unveil their new course at Ballygogue House, which will host point-to-point racing on Saturday, February 21st.

Ideally located just five minutes off the M8 motorway at Junction 3, the course at Ballygogue House is on the lands of the hunt’s long-time point-to-point secretary David Lalor, and it hosted the All-Ireland Ploughing Championships on three occasions between 1995 and 2002.

“It is a right-handed track,” Lalor reported. “There is a slight uphill finish, there are very slight undulations, not much.

“There will be three fences in the back straight, and two in the home straight before the winning post.

“The ground is in great condition. You could drive around it in a car this morning, as the lads were out around it.”

Entries for the six-race card, which will feature five maiden races, will close on Tuesday at 12noon.

Race 1 - 4YO Maiden
Race 2 - 5YO Mares Maiden
Race 3 - 5YO Geldings Maiden
Race 4 - 6YO Mares Maiden (INHSC Bonus)
Race 5 - 6YO Geldings Maiden (Novice Riders)
Race 6 - Winners of Three

For those attending the fixture, the Eircode for cars is R32 N971, and the entrance for horseboxes and lorries is via Eircode R32 T9P5.