Larkhill Racing Club 2023 Point to Point Preview

New Year’s Day 2023 will see the first time the Larkhill Racing Club have run their point-to-point meeting on a Public Holiday and it will be a real opportunity for the public to enjoy a day out on Salisbury Plain at the historic Wiltshire course. A total of 107 horses have been entered for the seven competitive races and following the recent thaw and heavy rain the course is in fine condition with the predicted going of good ground with the weather forecasted to remain mild up to Sunday. There will be food and drink outlets, trade stands and bookmakers in attendance to have a bet on the races. Parking is free and plentiful and access to the course is off the A345 road between Amesbury and Marlborough or off The Packway. Cost of admission is £15 per person with under 16’s free.

The two feature Races are the Ladies and Mens Open races. The Ladies race has attracted a strong entry of twelve horses headed by the Joseph O’Shea trained Cousin Pascal. Already a winner this season at Chaddesley Corbett in a Mixed Open he has Hunter Chase plans for later in the season but if he travels from his Cheshire base for Amber Jackson-Fennell to ride the hint should be taken. Of his potential opponents the veteran Southfield Theatre will be celebrating his fifteen birthday but this game individual is bound to give another front running performance for Lily Bradstock. Sixteen Letters who was partnered by Lucy Turner last season to win two Ladies races is one to consider on his seasonal debut and the same comments apply to another veteran Vivaldi Collonges who was partnered last season by Ben Bromley but has since changed hands. Commanche Red dead heated at the first Larkhill meeting and the form has been franked following the victory of Shantou Flyer at Chaddesley Corbett on 27^th December. He does hold entries at Horseheath however and may decide to swerve a clash with Cousin Pascal who is the selection.

The Mens Open has attracted an entry of fifteen horses including the previously mentioned Sixteen Letters. Famous Clermont won four races last season including a Hunter Chase and this progressive gelding who will be turning eight looks likely to start favourite for this race. Partnered by Will Biddick who rides him particularly well he may be too good for his rivals, Kaproyale won five of his six starts last season and if he is declared in preference to his engagement at Horseheath he could be the main danger to Chris Barber’s charge. Rio Quinto ran well on his seasonal debut at Badbury Rings but his ability to stay a true three miles is open to question. Igor dead heated in a match at Larkhill last season before triumphing in the Lady Dudley Cup. He was well beaten by Envious Editor at the first Larkhill meeting but ought to come on for the race. Doldido finished second in that race behind Envious Editor but may decide to opt for the Novice Riders race. Footloose improved out of all recognition last season but never got into the race on his seasonal debut. He is another who ought to come on for that run.

The Novice Riders race may see a first career victory for Oscar Ayton aboard his father’s Doldido. The form shown when second behind Envious Editor in November should be good enough but he may have most to fear from Knockmoylan trained by Chris Barber and likely to be partnered by Ella Orttewell. The winner of his first three races last season but then unseated Will Biddick at Upcott Cross on his final outing. Paloma Blue boasted good form for Henry de Bromhead in Ireland and finished a good second on his English debut at Dunsmore when partnered by Josh Newman. Champion Chase won three races last season and comes into the reckoning. Thegallantway won two Hurdle races for Fergal O’Brien and is now with Jenny Gordon. Likely to be ridden by the promising Molly Landau this winning Irish pointer might be an each way option.

The meeting starts with a competitive looking Conditions race which has attracted an excellent entry of twenty-one horses. Both Knockmoylan and Paloma Blue have entries for this race and would come into consideration if this race is chosen for either of them. Williewonga won on his debut but after making a bad mistake at the third last at the November Larkhill meeting he finished well down the field. He may be good enough to win this. Coco Live always runs well at Larkhill and on his seasonal debut he should be on the short list. Bold Conduct won easily at the November meeting but this is a rise in class for him but he might be up to the challenge. His Own Star won three races at the end of last season and ought to come on for his seasonal debut at Ffos Las. Dawn Sunrise won his Hunt race at MIlborne St Andrew but pulled up on his only run afterwards at Wincanton. Largy Mountain was very consistent last season with two victories and he may be the chief danger to Williewonga.

Rabble Rouser was a very easy winner of the Maiden at the November meeting and he may be too good for his rivals in the Restricted race. Hung Jury brings the best form from last season and being based with Fran Nimmo will be well prepared for his seasonal debut. Sake of Secrecy won his Maiden when trained by Neil McLean but is now with local trainer Harriet Waight and should be respected. Turbo Dave won at the Chaddesley Corbett meeting and is on the upgrade. Cuzzicombe won a competitive Maiden at Badbury Rings last season and was fourth on his reappearance in November. Da Boy Charlie won his Maiden at Kimble and this Alan Hill trained gelding is another to consider.

There are two Maiden races which complete the race card. The 3-mile Maiden race has attracted the biggest numbers of the meeting with twenty-four horses entered. A number of promising sorts appear and of those that have run Famoso was a promising third at Badbury Rings for trainer George Hiscock and will come into the mix. Katopop was second at Dunsmore and this Chris Barber trained youngster is one to consider. Go Sacre Go now with Sally Alner had placed Hurdling form for Nicky Henderson and should be a good recruit to pointing. Aunt Lily was chasing the winner when unseating at Ffos Las and this mare will surely find a race during this season. Kayf Taoi was placed in Hurdle races for Paul Nicholls but was well beaten on his pointing debut behind Rabble Rouser. The Will Biddick trained Regatta de Blanc is a newcomer and support for this filly should be noted particularly as the same partnership have already scored with the promising Il Pino.

The meeting concludes with a shorter Maiden over two miles and four furlongs for which there are twelve entries. Gallant Geronimo was well beaten by Rabble Rouser but if that gelding runs well he should be considered. Nowo has posted some useful form and this ex French gelding might appreciate the drop in distance. The leading stables of Tom Ellis and Chris Barber are represented by Sweet Talking and Idaho des Brosses. The first named should improve from her debut season whereas Idaho des Brosses finished sixth in an Irish point in October and should be noted. Another ex-Irish recruit is Happy Day Emery now with Bea Coward and was placed in two Irish points. Must Have Hope was third behind Turbo Dave and should come on for that run for point-to-point enthusiast Tim Underwood.

Larkhill Racecourse is to be found 5m NW of Amesbury, Nr A303, A345 and A360 – Postcode SP4 8QR. First race 11.30am Entry Costs on race day £15 per person by cash or card, children under 16 go free.

Kindly written by Bob Bracher.