157 



out the far-off and extreme left portion of the Old Course. This waS' 

 done to obviate the necessity of finishing over the Conyngham in races 

 of less than four miles, for the big fences in that course were considered 

 dangerous to finish over, as was proved by the severe falls got by 

 Major Burke and Captain Orr-Ewing a few years ago. 



The courses at Punchestown are quite natural, as, with few exceptions^, 

 are the fences, and a little trimming is all that distinguishes the 

 exceptions. I have heard people assert that the fences were greatly cut 

 down within the past twenty years. They never were. The run-home was 

 altered and greatly improved some years ago at considerable expense ; 

 the nasty dip near the pond was then filled up, and the run-in, for nearly 

 quarter of a mile before the winning-post, was made straight and level. 



The first race for the Conyngham Cup was run in 1865, and was won 

 by General Election. The line was then over the Old Course. 



The track now known as the Conyngham Cup Course was opened for 

 the first time in 1862, when the National Hunt Steeplechase was run 

 over it, but there was so much grief in that race it was not again used 

 till about ten years ago, when the race from which it now takes its 

 name was run over it. Since then it has been utilised annually for that 

 particular event and for several others. 



The late Marquis of Downshire gave, in 1863, a silver cup, and con- 

 tinued that generosity annually for some years. I think the late 

 Marquis of Conyngham gave one also ; anyhow the races respectively 

 called after these grand old sportsmen have invariably been about the 

 most interesting items in the two days' sport. 



The Downshire has always been a welter race, and has had for itS' 

 second fence the formidable 4ift. stone wall. For a few years portion 

 of its course lay at the back of the stand, but that was wisely altered 

 long ago. 



The tracks of the various courses at Punchestown have been selected 

 and laid out with skill in such matters more consummate than any I 

 ever saw displayed elsewhere. 



The magnificent track of the Conyngham is three miles in circuit, i.e., 

 the Old and New Courses, and so well is it laid out that, although the 

 distance is four miles, the only fences that have to be jumped a second 

 time are the single before the wall, the wall, and the gorse hurdle. 

 The Old Course is two and a quarter miles in circuit, and for three- 

 mile races only two fences and the gorse have to be jumped twice, while 

 in the Downshire, of three miles, the only fence jumped twice is the 

 gorse. The National Hunt Cup is run over the Foxhunters', Conyngham 

 and Old Courses, distance being four miles and a quarter, yet only twa 

 fences have to be jumped twice. 



Think of that, ye executives of hippodromes, a mile or mile and 

 a half round, with their three-mile courses ! 



From the stand at Punchestown the horses in each race can be 

 seen in their stride every yard from start to finish, except when racing^ 

 towards you from the far brook to the old double, and from the turn for 



