The Pigeons

TRACK GUIDE

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The Pigeons has been a real mainstay of the Irish point-to-point calendar for a number of decades, with racing having first taken place at the venue back in 1978. Traditionally it held an early March date, however, it staged a first autumn fixture in 2018.

A left-handed course, the runners begin in the back just before the elbow which breaks up the back straight. From there they have a nice run before reaching their first two fences which come up in quick succession at the end of the back straight. Climbing slightly on the bend which comes quickly after the second fence, the runners then race downhill before arriving in the home straight, where one fence is jumped prior to the winning post.

Upon landing out over that third obstacle, which is also the final fence on the last circuit, there is a shoRt run to the winning post, before the runners jump fence four which is taken adjacent to the parade ring. Turning left-handed, the runners race alongside the road on an extended run to fence five. This fence can either be positioned at the end of this straight, or further around the next bend which is taken on the descent. From there, the runners race back to their starting point to complete a lap of the course.

Champers On Ice won his maiden at the course just four days prior to being sold for 205,000 pounds at public auction.