Limerick – A Guide To Irish Flat Racecourses

Limerick Racecourse

Limerick Racecourse is an undulating right handed track. There is a fairly steep incline along the back straight before coming slightly downhill approaching the final bend and where the run in to the finishing line is straight forward to complete.

This oval track is around is around a mile and three furlongs in circumference. It is a dual purpose venue hosting both Flat and Jump racing and is one of the more modern new turf courses in Ireland having opened in 2001.

There use to be one pattern race (Listed race) per flat season at the course which was either run in April or June but there appears to be none this year, but in any event, it is a track that is  more associated with jump racing with five pattern races on their books for that discipline.

In the earlier days, soon after the course had opened it was apparent how high drawn horses were more favoured in races over seven furlongs to a mile but some amendments made to the ridges on certain parts of the courses seem to have even out any advantage that may have once occurred.

We all know that backing favourites will often mean a decent win strike rate but is unlikely to prove profitable over the long term. However, there does appear to be some anomaly when it comes to backing favourites in non handicap events at this track over certain distances as shown below.

Please note: Profit and Loss figures (P/L) is based on level stakes betting of one Euro per bet to SP.

Course: Limerick

Distance: 7 Furlongs

Race Type: Non-Handicap races

Bets: 76 Wins: 35 Strike Rate: 46.05% P/L+12.04

Course: Limerick

Distance: One mile and three furlongs

Race Type: Non-Handicap races

Bets: 25 Wins: 14 Strike Rate: 56% P/L+18.04

Course: Limerick

Distance: One Mile and four furlongs

Race Type: Non-Handicap races

Bets: 14 Wins: 9 Strike Rate: 64.29% P/L+11.30

There doesn’t appear to be any significant trainer angles worth reporting, Aidan O’Brien is one trainer that does hold a high win strike rate with his runners but they do tend to go off at much shorter odds than is merited.