After the sad loss of the Larkhill Racing Club meeting due to the cold weather there has now been some relenting of the icy snap and all indications are that the Royal Artillery will be able to hold their meeting on Saturday. They have attracted 89 entries for their seven races so there should be some excellent racing to enjoy on Salisbury Plain. The latest news from the course is that all the fences and bends are being moved since the last meeting in December and the forecast going is for good ground.
Entry costs remain at £15 per person with under 16s accompanied free. Race cards are £3 and £5 for two. There will be an AS90 armoured artillery vehicle with volunteers from the Royal Artillery Museum who will be able to show guests the inner workings of the vehicle and generally chat to the public about military life and the equipment they’ve operated over the years. There will be a number of trade stands including food stalls and a fully licensed bar plus the bookmakers to have a wager or two with. There will also be volunteers with charity buckets fundraising for Children with Cancer UK.
The Pinkham Equine Veterinary Services sponsored Hunt Members race opens the card at 11.30am. This is a race for all Hunts that race at Larkhill and has attracted a total of 9 entries. This is headed by the venerable Southfield Theatre who has just celebrated his seventeenth birthday. When last seen he won his Hunt race at Lockinge last season and despite his age he will be the one to pass if he sets off in front as usual. It would be a great training success for Lily Bradstock if he can beat his rivals. These are headed by the two Barrow Street stablemates of Douglas Longbottom and Gran Paradiso. The first named ran well behind Givega at the last Larkhill meeting and would be the one to give Southfield Theatre the most to do. Harriet Waight has entered both of her stable with Crawter having won his Maiden at the course and Sake of Secrecy but this is much tougher for both of them.
The Ladies of the RA Hunt have sponsored the Maiden race which contains an entry for Sienna Earth who was still leading when unseating his rider at the second last in December. Will Biddick his rider and trainer will be keen to seek recompense for his Masked Marvel mare who did look unlucky. Dorset Dazzler was no match for Snap Fish at Badbury but has place chances. Couer d’Alene ran a race of promise at Stafford Cross when finishing fourth and similar comments apply to Schiapars Magern who was third at Kimble. The ex- Irish pair of At Mangan Bridge and Impakt St Georges come into the reckoning as both have form in that country. At Mangan Bridge was runner up in a point to point at Borris House in December and is now in the capable hands of Michael Kehoe. Impakt St Georges was placed in a point to point and hurdles before moving to Josh Newman’s yard and with his stable in such good form he should be considered.
The Novice Riders race sponsored by Simon Prout raising Money for Children with Cancer UK is headed by Acey Milan who won at Larkhill in December 2023 but was not seen again. At his best he should give his young rider Will Higgs a good ride. Sixteen Letters is another making his seasonal debut and in this class he may be too good for his rivals. Step Back is now at the veteran stage but still should give Daniel Williams an each way chance. For Rita goes well for Abigail Henry and is another to consider. Midnight Midge is an interesting recruit to pointing and this three times chase winner should be a good ride for James Shaw. Sixteen Letters is the choice.
The Moore Barlow LLP sponsored Conditions race also contains an entry for Douglas Longbottom and if this race is chosen over the Hunt race he would be the selection. Of his rivals both Pink Eyed Pedro and Step Back are in the veteran stage and may find younger rivals too speedy. Duc be Bourbon won well at the first Larkhill meeting beating Paper Mill who may reoppose and may be the main danger to Douglas Longbottom. Viva Lavilla was third behind Viroflay last season but has not run since and may need the race.
The Mixed Open race sponsored by Nimrod is the target for the prolific Grace a Vous Enki who is seeking his eighth success at the Wiltshire course. He clearly enjoys the wide-open spaces of Larkhill and will be very difficult to beat. My Drogo made a pleasing point to point debut when third behind Givega and this former classy individual may be the one to give the favourite the most to do. Bardenstown Lad chased home Master Templar at Chaddesley Corbett and Oscars Moonshine trained by Olive Nicholls are others who may have place possibilities.
The Restricted sponsored by Cordings looks a race full of promising horses. Snap Fish demolished a good Restricted field at the last meeting and a repeat of that run will be hard to beat. Talimar Pearl had good place form under Rules and broke his Maiden status at Wadebridge. Kilfilum Woods has already won twice this season including at the last meeting and is on the upgrade. Both Good Boy Eric and L’Aventara have only run twice but won their respective Maidens so are clearly on the upgrade. All Star Boy won two races last season for Chris Barber and is another who is improving. Boys Will Be Boys improved as the season progressed last year and he is worth keeping an eye on. Snap Fish is the selection.The meeting concludes with the Flat race over two miles where there is little form to go by. Askdaddy trained by Bradley Gibbs was runner up in a similar race last May at Chaddesley Corbett and may be able to put her experience to good use. Defying Gravity ought to come on for his run in December when he finished fourth. Of the newcomers the well related Blue Skies Ahead trained by Graeme McPherson, Tombereau trained by Michael Kehoe and Hard Stare trained by Anthony Honeyball are three to check on in the paddock and with the bookies.