The next meeting to take place at Larkhill Racecourse, the Royal Artillery Hunt, is due this coming Saturday 26 January. The six scheduled races has attracted a total of 69 entries and should ensure that there will be some competitive racing for racegoers to enjoy. The current going is good with some showers forecast this week. Prior to the point to point racing there will be a novel side-saddle race which will be a spectacle most of us have never seen before and is intended to raise valuable funds for the local charity, the Royal Artillery Charitable Fund. This race is scheduled to start at 11.30 so it is hoped that many racegoers will make the effort to be early to support the intrepid riders.

Monsieur Gibraltar is the stand out horse from the entry of twelve horses in the Ladies Open race. The leading horse at Larkhill last season he returned to the Wiltshire track earlier this month and was an impressive winner of the Ladies race for Harriet Tucker. His love affair of Larkhill looks likely to continue but if the popular grey Dicky Bob is declared to run against him he may have a fight on his hands. Dicky Bob has won thirteen races to date in his career but has yet to race this season and might go to Chipley Park instead. Bistouri D’Honore ran well against Monsieur Gibraltar in his last race and may finish closer. Storm Lantern won the Novice Riders race for Jennifer Harbison at the last meeting but this looks much tougher. Gina Andrews has the choice of Man of Steel for keeper Alan Hill and Generous Ransom for keeper David Phelan, the latter who has yet to run this season.

Generous Ransom is also one of a very select entry for the Mens Open race but he looks to be potentially up against three very strong rivals. Stellar Notion was a good winner of a competitive Mens Open race at the last meeting for new keeper Tom Frost and he will be looking to notch another win. Tom Barton won at the first Larkhill meeting in December giving his novice rider Liam Harrison his first ever point to point victory. Bear’s Affair is now at the veteran stage of his career but still retains his ability as he won on his seasonal debut in November. Tactics will play its part but Stellar Notion may be too good for his rivals.

The Hunt Race has drawn an entry of seven and it would be fitting if the mare Tambura could make a winning point to point debut for keeper Paul Thompson. Owned by the late Godfrey Maundrell who was a strong supporter of this race the mare has won seven races under Rules but is yet to jump a fence. Her main opposition will come from the Sally Rawlins trained pair Adrenalin Flight and Sidbury Hill who should both come on from their seasonal debut races. Financial Climate won a Mens Open race at Alnwick and then finished fourth in a Hunter Chase at Taunton whilst Coco Live won the Restricted race at the last Larkhill meeting. Tambura is a tentative choice.

The biggest entry is the Open Maiden race and of the twenty horses entered this may be between Airlander, placed at Larkhill in December for owner Lady Cobham, Ballyjim a narrow runner up in January for owner Bill Dupont, Country Legend placed in several Maidens last season, Courtandbould placed at Clifton-on-Dunsmore for Francesca Nimmo and Niteinshiningarmour placed last season at Hexham. However two horses who were running good races at the last meeting until unseating their riders Earth Leader and Mankala may be the best option with the latter chosen to give Elizabeth ‘ Dibby’ Brown another winner.

The Conditions Race may see the return of Blackwater Bramble already a winner this season at Buckfastleigh and Larkhill and he should be on the short list. Hawkhurst has been in strong form also this season winning at Barbury Castle and Cottenham and could give Gina Andrews another winner. Sally Alner has entered the mare Flights who may chase home the two leading hopes.

The meeting concludes with the Intermediate for which Coco Live is also entered and may go for this race rather than the Hunt race. Mister Robbo finished second to Road to Rome, the winner of two Hunter Chases already this season, in an Intermediate at Clifton –on-Dunsmore and a repeat of that form would probably be good enough to take the spoils. Imogens Thunder and Ryves Rocky both won two races last season and are both promising sorts who should be followed this season. With the benefit of race fitness Mister Robbo is the selection.

Larkhill Racecourse is to be found 5m NW of Amesbury, Nr A303, A345 and A360 – Postcode SP4 8QT. . First race 12.30pm Entry Costs £10 per person, children go free