Kilbeggan Course Guide

A sharp, right-handed round track of around nine furlongs in extent. It is undulating with a particularly sharp turn after the second-last fence and though the run-in of around 300 yards is uphill this is no track for a long-striding horse or a staying type. There are six fences to a circuit of the chase track, which is laid out on the outside of the hurdles track.

This is a tale of two tracks really, as the chase track isn’t too bad, but the hurdle track was always a nightmare to ride, as it is very tight. In general, being handy is a very big help and they really have to go a mad pace in front to give those that are held up a chance to get into it. Because of the nature of it, Kilbeggan perhaps suits a quirky type of horse that needs to be kept interested, as you are always on the turn and there are plenty of undulations. It is definitely a track that produces track specialists, especially on the hurdle track.

View from the saddle: Charlie Swan