Secretary:   Mrs Mandy O'Hare

Address:   Collins Farmhouse, 55 High St, Durrington, Salisbury, Wilts, SP4 8AQ

Contact Details Tel: 01980 655556   Mob: 07789 544498  

Email:   mandyohare@btinternet.com

Entries to:   The Secretary or The Point to Point Racing Co Ltd

Entries close:   Tuesday 27th December 2022 12.30pm

Races:   LCR Members Conditions Level 2, Ladies Open, 5 years + Maiden, Mens Open, Restricted, LCR Conditions Level 3 (Novice Riders) Maiden Conditions (2m 4f)

First Race:   11.30am

ENTRY FEES  £45 per entry per race - NB. Online entry fees £49.80 2nd entry same horse £15

Hunter Cert deadline is Midday Thursday 22nd DECEMBER

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

Race 1:            Conditions (Level 2) 

1^st         Viroflay

2^nd        Paloma Blue

3^rd        Not A Role Model 

Runners:          14                    Distances:        12l, 5l                          Time: 6m 11s

Race 2:            Ladies Open 

1^st         Born Survivor

2^nd        Southfield Theatre

3^rd        Wheesht 

Runners:          6                      Distances:        3l, 6l                            Time: 6m 14s

Race 3:            Maiden 5 years + 

1^st         Regatta de Blanc

2^nd        Oscara

3^rd        Dorset Diamond 

Runners:          18                    Distances:        20l, sh                          Time: 6m 20s

Race 4:            Mens Open 

1^st         Famoud Clemont

2^nd        Kaptoyale

3^rd        Sixteen Letters 

Runners:          11                    Distances:        30l, 8l                          Time: 6m 10s

Race 5:            Restricted 

1^st         Rabble Rouser

2^nd        Bloodstone

3^rd        Cuzzicombe

Runners:          9                      Distances:        6l, 25l                          Time: 6m 22s

Race 6:            Conditions (Level 2) Novice Riders 

1^st         Thegallantway

2^nd        Knockmoylan

3^rd        Spectacular Rival 

Runners:          8                      Distances:        4l, 15l                          Time: 6m 17s

Race :              Maiden Conditions 

1^st         Happy Day Emery

2^nd        The Ballybreen Fox

3^rd        Gallant Geronimo

 Runners:          8                      Distances:        hd, 25l                         Time: 5m 28s

N/A

A high quality meeting opened the New Year at Larkhill when the Racing Club held their annual event. They were rewarded with a decent crowd who were able to enjoy some fine racing on going described by riders as good and watch some memorable performances. Both of the Open races produced impressive winners for different reasons whereas two young horses celebrating their sixth and fifth birthdays respectively went into the notebook as future potential stars.

The Woolley and Wallis sponsored Ladies Open saw the seasonal debut of the evergreen and now fifteen-year-old Southfield Theatre ridden by Lily Bradstock. Despite his advancing years he adopted his usual front running style and had the majority of his five rivals in trouble approaching the last fence. However, Born Survivor ridden by Chloe Emsley who had tracked the leader for most of the journey and on the run in was able to find extra to win by two lengths. Owned now in partnership by Trull House Stud (Richard Kelvin-Hughes) and the Otter Club he was making his point-to-point debut for trainer Ed Walker. Used last season as a work horse with Polly Gundry’s stable star Santini he was intended to have an outing in the point-to-point field but due to his form under rules in 2021 he was not eligible to run. However, as Ed explained ‘he was in full work with Santini and there had been no issues with him.’ Ed has been riding him at home and his instructions to Chloe were to let him enjoy himself and see if he still wanted to be a racehorse. A winner for Dan Skelton at Uttoxeter in 2021 he was then third behind Frodon at Sandown in April of that year. Chloe who works for Polly and Ed was riding her first winner this season and had another reason to celebrate as she and her long-term partner Stuart Payne have just announced their engagement. 

The Southern Counties Auctioneers Mens Open race looked a competitive race on paper, but the Chris Barber trained Famous Clermont had other ideas. Ridden as usual by Will Biddick he followed his ten rivals for much of the race before making up ground as they came back into view. By the time the final ditch was jumped he was well in command and had fifteen lengths in hand at the line from principal rival Kaproyale. The winner had been due to make his seasonal debut at the abandoned Avon Vale meeting, so the challenge had been to keep him ticking over for this event. Chris was delighted with the success of his stable star who has got better as each year passes. Plans for the future are at this stage undecided with the possibility of a run in a Hunter Chase later this month and then to consider options after that outing. 

The meeting had opened with a Conditions race run in the memory of the late Godfrey Maundrell and he would have been pleased with the quality of the fourteen horses that took part. With neither of the leading two horses in the betting Commanche Red and Williewonga running up to their best it was left to the youngest horse in the field Viroflay ridden by Olive Nicholls to record an eight lengths victory over Paloma Blue ridden by Josh Newman. Trained by Georgie Nicholls and owned by Paul Nicholls and John Bolton he had previously won a two-year-old race on the all-weather in France before winning a juvenile hurdle at Wincanton on his second start for Paul Nicholls. He then was off the course for over two years with a leg issue before his reappearance at Chaddesley Corbett in December. On the evidence of this performance and bearing in mind his inexperience over fences this was a very taking run and when asked if he is likely to remain pointing the trainer remarked ‘Bloody well hope so!’ He should provide Olive who was delighted with his jumping plenty of fun for the season.

A maximum field of eighteen horses took part in the We do Vans sponsored Maiden race and this produced a dominant display from the previously unraced Regatta De Blanc ridden by her trainer Will Biddick. Tracking the leaders from the fifteenth fence she was in full command jumping the final ditch and pulled right away from her rivals to record a twenty lengths victory. A half sister to the winning Hurdler Presenting A Queen she had been acquired at the Goffs Land Rover Sale in June 2021 by Ed Bailey for owner Rupert Swallow. Running in the Pendil Partnership name Rupert explained that his mother Cynthia had owned the twice winning King George Chase horse from the 1970’s trained by Fred Winter. Rupert who lives near Windsor is enjoying his first venture into pointing with both the horses he has run to date winning following the previous success of Il Pino at Chaddesley Corbett in December. Ed took up the story about how both horses were acquired at the Sales.  ‘Rupert and I  had gone to Ireland to source horses as Rupert had decided to start his venture into owning horses outright and to begin with point to pointers.’ Ed added that ‘the two horses were only two lots apart and we ended buying them both within a very short space of time’ Rupert added that he has one more to run namely a Flemensfirth filly who has just turned four. 

The Alec Jarrett Limited sponsored Restricted Race was won by the favourite Rabble Rouser ridden by Henry Crow for owner Peter Clifton and trainer Joseph O’Shea. Supplementing his success from the previous Larkhill meeting in November he was made to battle by the front running Bloodstone ridden by George Henderson but had five lengths in hand at the finish. It was a four hour trip from Joe’s Cheshire base but this victory from his three horses he brought to the meeting will have it feel shorter on the way home. 

Chris Barber was denied a double when the favourite for the Clarke Willmott sponsored Novice Riders race Knockmoylan ridden by Ella Orttewell was overtaken on the run in by Thegallantway ridden by Molly Landau. Trained by Jenny Gordon for owner Anthony Ward-Thomas Jenny said that Anthony had done much of the pretraining at his home but that the gelding had come to her yard in November for the last pieces of work. Previously trained by Fergal O’Brien for whom he won two Hurdle races Molly followed the instructions to ‘keep creeping into the race’ to perfection and was another well-timed ride by this promising jockey. 

The Connolly’s Red Mills sponsored Maiden race provided the closest finish of the day with Happy Day Emery ridden by Martin McIntyre just getting up to deny The Ballybreen Fox ridden by Charlie Marshall. Owned by the Barrow Street Racing Club and trained by Bea Coward the grey gelding was having his first run in England having run three times in Ireland last season. Not sold at the Goffs May Sale in May he was acquired privately through Mel Smith Bloodstock in July for the Club and should prove one to follow for this season. Bea who trains at Barrow Street near Mere has three horses to train this season and is another young trainer whose charges are worth supporting.