Punchestown was started by the Kildare Hunt in 1850, and in the next 10 years became the headquarters of Irish steeplechasing. The first ditch or 'grip' of this famous double-bank was 6ft 6in wide and 3ft deep; the top 6ft 6in wide; the second ditch 4ft wide. The take-off was banked up. The whole 17ft was 'flown', but rarely. The History of Horse Racing by Roger Longrigg, page 174.