Courses

Ballyvodock

Track info

Top Riders Course stats Winning Favourites

County: Cork

Soil Type: Brown Earth - coarse, loamy

Fences per circuit: 5

Fences per 3 mile race: 14

Direction: Left-Handed

Course Distance: 1.08m

Elevation Change (Highest to Lowest Point):

TRACK GUIDE

Point-to-Point racing was first held at Ballvodock in 2015, but there is a long history of racing between the flags in the Carrigtwohill area, with the Pigeon Hill and Carrigtwohill committee having hosted race meetings since 1968.

Beginning along the back straight, there is a reasonably short run to fence one, before climbing slightly to fence two at the end of the back straight. Quickly turning left-handed, the runners begin the run for home around a long gently curving bend into the home straight proper, with a slight rise to fence three, the first of two fences in the home straight.

Fence four, which is also the final fence, brings the runners up to the winning post, and once making their way over the road crossing, they face a short stiff climb to the highest point on the course and the bend that brings them out of the home straight. Fence five awaits them on a short straight, before they turn once again into the back straight and make their way downhill to their starting point and the completion of a circuit of Ballyvodock.

Jessbers Dream, the horse who won the first race at that opening 2015 fixture, has gone on to win the Grade 2 Jane Seymour Hurdle for trainer Paul Nicholls.

DECLAN QUEALLY, RIDER

Ballyvodock is a big left-handed track where you race downhill in the back straight before swinging uphill into the home straight.

Although it usually takes place in February, it is run on very dry land near Carrigtowhill, and is often targeted by handlers looking for better ground at that time of year.

Races here are usually run at a sensible gallop and the fences do not come up too quick. It can suit a big inexperienced horse, as it is possible to ride a patient race, although you need a lot of ability to win around here, as it is a stiff three miles.