Downpatrick Course Guide

A narrow, right-handed track with a circuit of around eleven furlongs. This is not a track for a long-striding horse, given the numerous undulations and turns. There are six fences to a circuit of the chase course, with the last two close together before the uphill home straight of over a furlong.

This is a real horses for courses track. When you come past the winning post, it’s like going off the edge of a cliff! The drop is unbelievable and the first time you ride down it is an experience. It’s not an easy track to ride and you just have to try and give your horse as many breathers as possible as you go up and down all the hills. In terms of ideal position, I would always say the handier the better, but most would be of that view so sometimes they can go too quick in front as plenty want to be prominent and in those cases, one can get away with being a bit off the pace early. The last furlong-and-a-half is a very stiff test. The fences there were always some of the easiest anywhere in Ireland.

View from the saddle: Charlie Swan