The first of seven meetings scheduled to be held at Larkhill Racecourse on Salisbury Plain will be taking place this coming Sunday when the Hursley Hambledon hold their point-to-point. One of the most popular courses in England as well as the busiest the course is in good condition ahead of the start of the season with the ground currently reported as good and with rain in the forecast the going should be ideal for most horses. 76 horses have been entered for the 6 races which is an encouraging entry at this time of year when the season is just starting.

The highlights of the meeting are the two Open races where quality horses have been entered. The Mens Open sponsored by the meeting’s main supporter Moore Blatch solicitors of Southampton and Lymington has attracted an entry of 10 horses. The entries include Woodfleet, the winner of a Hunter Chase at Wincanton last season and now in the care of Kate Bandey as her husband Richard holds a public license, the Sally Alner trained duo of Apple’s Queen who missed last season and the consistent Tom Barton, Ardkilly Witness who won an Open at Horseheath last season, Theatre Evening who won a Mens Open at Bratton Down and the progressive Doctor’s Differ who won two races last season. Sarazen Bridge is another improving horse with his last victory coming at Larkhill in March. Kie is an interesting recruit to point –to-pointing having won 5 steeplechases and 2 hurdle races but has not been seen since May 2016 and is now in the care of Johnny Farrelly. Woodfleet is the choice to give owner Anna Reed another Larkhill winner.

The Ladies Open also includes entries for Woodfleet and Theatre Evening and if this race is chosen ahead of the Mens for the latter named then he will be partnered by his owner Charlotte Brown who will be making a return to race riding. Others to consider include the consistent Moscow Prices who will be ridden by part owner Lucy Mager, Midnight King who is likely to be ridden by Claire Hardwick, Foxcub who won a Hunter Chase at the Cheltenham May meeting and Bouggietopieces who finished second in a Ladies at Bratton Down at the end of last season. Southfield Theatre owned by Angela Yeoman and now trained by Sara Bradstock boasts the best National Hunt form with three steeplechase and five hurdle victories to his name and he is taken to make a winning point-to-point debut.

The meeting begins with a two and a half mile Maiden race for which the biggest entry of 16 horses has been received. Of those with form Artson was placed in two Maidens last season, Emergency Speed improved as last season progressed, Bridge of Cally was placed over Hurdles for Harry Whittington and will come on for his run at Buckfastleigh and Signed and Sealed who was placed five times on the flat for Mark Johnston and is now in the care of Julie Wadland. Two newcomers to note are the Kate Bandey trained Walkonthinice and the Sophie Lacey trained Airlander. The last named is owned by Lady Cobham who was successful at this meeting last year with Coningsby and is hoping for a repeat with her Kayf Tara gelding.

The Restricted race may see the English point to point debut of the Luke Harvey owned Drumlynn. Placed in three Irish point to points he made a winning debut for Luke when winning a Bumper at Worcester in June 2017 but has not been seen since the following month. The Jaffna Queen may give him most to do as the Robert Waley-Cohen trained mare improved in her four races last season finishing second at Mollington in her first Restricted race. Brereton was an easy winner of a Maiden at the end of last season in May at Larkhill, Sleepy Sunday won her Maiden in 2017 but missed last season and Rakasba has been placed on a number of occasions. Shallamar was a winner for Tim Underwood at Barbury Castle last weekend and if reappearing comes into the mix.

The Club Conditions race also holds entries for Bouggietopieces and Doctor’s Differ and this may be an easier option for each of them. However the entries for this race are headed by Blackwater Bramble who won at Buckfastleigh for John Smith-Maxwell in a close finish. Derksen won four races for Alice Stevens and is another to consider. Karinga Dancer runs well for his owner/trainer/jockey Laura Thomas and if back to his best may be hard to beat. Pointview Gale ran well at Buckfastleigh and Thereyarsee enjoys racing at Larkhill for his owner Bill Dupont. Princely Player is another to take into account on his second to Hawkhurst on his final appearance and a chance is taken on him.

The final race, the Open Maiden, also holds entries for Airlander and Emergency Speed but if they take up their options in the shorter Maiden then the ones to put on a short list are Lucarno Express, placed third in an Open at Mollington, the ex-Tom Lacey trained Amadoue placed in two Hurdles and now with Emma Alvis and Bubsy Burbidge formerly with Neil Mulholland. Montarlot now trained by Harriet Brown brings good form from Ireland having been placed in his three races there and may be the one to give Lucarno Express the most to do.

Larkhill Racecourse is to be found 5m NW of Amesbury, Nr A303, A345 and A360 – Postcode SP4 8QT. . First race 11.30am Entry Costs £10 per person, race cards £3, children go free

BOB BRACHER