Larkhill hosts its fifth meeting of the season when the New Forest hold their meeting on Sunday. In addition to the 6 point to point races there will be a charity flat race at 11.00, the rearranged King’s Troop race at 11.45 and after the point to point races there will be two pony races so it will be a very busy day at the Wiltshire course. The current going is good with rain forecast over the next few days so it is anticipated that there will not be any change to the predicted going. There will be a good selection of trade stands as well as bar and bookmakers so it should be an excellent day out for all of the family.

The highlight of the meeting is the Timico sponsored Mixed Open race for which an entry of 11 horses has been received. It looks an wide open contest with the principals being the consistent Green Winter who would be making his seasonal debut, Tom Barton the winner at the Hursley Hambledon meeting in December, the progressive Coco Live who has won his last three races, Woodfleet who showed a return to form when finishing second at Charing and The Well Road who won three races last season. Coco Live is the selection to continue his progress.

The Horse Health Intermediate race opens the meeting with the Teresa Clark trained Pancrace looking the likely favourite. Already a winner at Barbury Castle he is in good form having been placed in his previous outings. His main opponents are likely to be Tree Sparrow who ought to come on for his run at rain soaked Bishops Court and Bricks and Beams who ran fourth in the same race at the Devon course and Black Jewel trained by Francesca Nimmo who has already won two races this season. Pancrace ought to be able to secure another win for Teresa Clark’s stable.

The New Forest Inn sponsor the Open Maiden race for which the principals are likely to be Keep it Simple who showed improved form when finishing second at Monmouth, Milberry who was a close third at the last meeting at Larkhill and Montarlot who was third behind Mankala again at the last meeting. Mankala has franked the form when winning his Restricted at Didmarton so the Harriet Brown trained seven year old gelding looks the answer to this contest.

The Mares Maiden race sponsored by Earlcote and the Jockey Club may see the jumping debut of Rosie Present already a winner of a Bumper at Great Trethew for Ed Walker and her appearance should be watched with interest. Bluebell Sally was second at Monmouth and is now owned by Tim Underwood and may be the principal danger to Rosie Present. Hot Cross Bun a half- sister to the prolific John Daniell trained by Mary Tory is another to consider.

The Restricted race sponsored by Race to the Pitt Stop may be at the mercy of the Tim Underwood owned Streets of London already the winner of a maiden at Barbury Castle and looks on an upward curve. Rien du Tout won at Cothelstone last season and finished fifth in a much more competitive race at Chipley Park and looks a danger. Lawsons Thorns should come on for his run at Badbury Rings and Oscar Mor the winner of a Maiden in Ireland in 2016 should be straighter after his debut at Buckfastleigh last month for trainer Jade Barber.

The meeting concludes with the GPG Solicitors sponsored Conditions race has received 12 entries including Coco Live who would be a likely favourite for this race if bypassing the Mixed Open race. Crown Theatre was a close second for Elizabeth Knight at the last meeting, Adrenalin Flight has defied his age this season and this is a much easier race than the one he last ran in at Badbury Rings, Golden Crisp was well beaten at Barbury Castle but ought to come on for that run and Thereyarsee who was running a good race at the December meeting when his saddle slipped and he was pulled up. Thereyarsee has a good record at Larkhill and may provide the promising Liam Harrison with another winner.

Larkhill Racecourse is to be found 5m NW of Amesbury, Nr A303, A345 and A360 – Postcode SP4 8QT. . First race 12.30 with charity race at 11.00am and King’s Troop race at 11.45. Entry Costs £10 per person, children go free