Hursley Hambledon Point to Point Preview
Larkhill on Salisbury Plain hosts the first of its seven scheduled point to point meetings on Sunday 1stDecember when the Hursley Hambledon holds their fixture. The busiest point to point course in the country with thirteen individual fences including fences 4 and 8 that have been rebuilt since last season is able to race when other courses are waterlogged and following the effects of Storm Bert there are not anticipated to be any problems. The current going report is for good ground.
There are six scheduled races due to start at 12noon with a good entry of 78 horses. The course is well signposted off the A345 and can also be accessed off the A303. There is free parking on the course with the cost of admission being £15 per person and under 16s free. As a special concession Young Farmers on production of evidence of membership can be admitted at the reduced cost of £10.In addition to the horse racing there will be food outlets, a bar, trade stands and the bookmakers to have a bet with. Do wrap up warm and wear suitable clothing for an afternoon on Salisbury Plain and see all the action up close!
The feature race is the Mens Open race sponsored by Ward Thomas Removals over the shorter trip of 2 and a half miles and this may see the reappearance of the prolific Grace A Vous Enki successful in his five visits to Larkhill last season including dead heating in the Coronation Gold Cup. Trained by Nicky Sheppard and ridden by James King he will be fancied to start the season with another victory. Of his potential rivals One For Rosie the winner of two races last season brings a touch of class, Saint Calvados who will be David Maxwell’s first ride in a point to point since 2018 and is another with high quality form under Rules and similar comments apply to My Drogo who won four Hurdles when trained by Dan Skelton and is now with Edward Walker. One True King has won eight races under Rules when with Nigel Twiston Davies and now with Bea Coward is an interesting recruit to pointing. Angels Breath is another with good form under Rules when trained by Sam Thomas. Now with Tim Vaughan he would have each way chances, but the selection is Grace A Vous Enki.
The Ladies Open race sponsored by Moore Barlow has attracted a strong entry of ten horses headed by I K Brunel trained by Alan Hill and to be ridden by his daughter in law Izzie. The winner of two races last season he looks the one to beat. Myth Buster always runs well for Lily Bradstock and has had the benefit of a race already this season. Switch Hitter might appreciate the drop into point to pointing and now with Sam Loxton he could find his form again. Diligent won at the course last season for Shannon Holmes and is sure to run well.
The meeting begins with a two and a half Maiden race sponsored by Rural Property Search and of those that have already raced Blackijo Dagrostis trained by Nicky Sheppard has had the benefit of a race this season and this may prove decisive. Josh Newman has his stable already in good form and the unraced Five Quarters and the ex-Irish Ted The Thief are worth considering. I Think He Is was fourth at Dunsmore and could well improve on that outing. The unraced He’ll Be Grand trained by Bradley Gibbs is another to consider in an intriguing race.
The Restricted race sponsored by Spraytek/Botley Commercials may be won by Kilfilum Woods trained by Fran Poste. Already the winner of a Maiden at Knightwick this season he could easily follow up under Zak Baker. Bruce Gobbler won a Maiden at Upcott Cross and is on the upgrade. Baunmore Jet won a Maiden in Ireland and is now with Katie Croft. Quickcharge has had some good flashes of form and may be the main danger to Fran Poste’s charge.
The Conditions race sponsored by BCM Wilson Hill has attracted seventeen entries including several entered in the two Open races including Myth Buster, Switch Hitter and My Drogo. If any of these opt for this race they would come into the reckoning. Paper Mill won his Intermediate at Dunsmore and this improving eight-year-old is one to follow. Lakota Warrior had a good season last year and now trained by Emma Summersby is one for the short list. The same comment applies to Duc de Bourbon runner up in a Mixed Open at Dunsmore for Sam Loxton. Pileon had a good season winning at Vauterhill on his final outing and must have each way chances. Paper Mill is the selection.
The meeting ends with the Equestrian Timber Maiden race for which there is also an entry of seventeen horses. The second , third and fourth from the Maiden Race at Dunsmore, Hardy Buck , Always Force It and Kooky may reoppose and it will be interesting to see if the form is confirmed. The third and fourth from the Maiden race at Knightwick, Illitch and Celtic Harmony are others who will come on for their seasonal debuts. Southfield Scope, a half-brother to the prolific Southfield Theatre was runner up at Upcott Cross and looks a likely winner for his veteran owner Angela Yeoman. Others to note are Free The Lion placed three times last season and the two trained by Fran Poste Glancing Hill and Taymount who were both placed last season.
Larkhill Racecourse is to be found 5m NW of Amesbury, Nr A303, A345 and A360 – Postcode SP4 8QR. First race 12 noon Entry Costs on race day £15 per person by cash or card, children under 16 go free