Secretary:   Mr A Connell

Address:   Ingle Nook Wylye Road Hanging Langford Salisbury Wilts SP3 4NW

Contact Details    Mob: 07771 503533  

Email:   zen201559@zen.co.uk

Entries Secretary:   Mr P Hodson

Address:   Amphora Allington Salisbury Wilts SP4 0BW

Contact Details:  Tel: 01980 610764   Mob:  07790 660071

Email:   philipra@aol.com

Entries to:  The Entries Secretary or The Point to Point Racing Co Ltd (www.pointtopointentries.co.uk )

Entries close:   Monday 16^th January 2023 12.30pm

Races:  Larkhill Fixtures Hunts, 4, 5yr Flat, Restricted, 5yrs+ Maiden, Mixed Open, RA Conditions Level 2 (Novice Riders), RA 5yrs+ Conditions Level 2

First Race:   11.30pm

Larkhill hosts its second meeting of 2023 when The Royal Artillery hold their annual point to point. They have received a total of 104 entries for their 7 races and with the prospect of a milder weekend ahead there should be some very competitive racing at the Wiltshire course. Since the last meeting all of the fences and bends have been moved onto fresh ground and following the recent rain the latest going report is for good ground. There will be trade stands and food stalls in attendance and bookmakers for some bets. Access to the course is signposted off the Amesbury to Marlborough A345 and there is plenty of room for parking. The first race is scheduled to start at 11.30am. 

The highlight of the meeting is the Ineos Grenadier Mixed Open where fourteen horses have been entered. Born Survivor outstayed Southfield Theatre at the last meeting and this former classy chaser is a welcome addition to pointing. Used last season as the lead horse whilst Santini was in training with Polly Walker he is now with her husband Ed and will look to build on his win earlier this month. The ultra-consistent Sixteen Letters was no match for the progressive Famous Clermont but he looks to have chances in this race. Salvatore often runs well at Larkhill but his seasonal debut behind Cousin Pascal did not give much encouragement but a return to the course may bring about an improvement. Zamparelli finished his campaign last season when winning a Hunter Chase at Stratford but may need this outing. Beau du Brizais is another who has yet to run this season but Teresa Clark’s charge is the model of consistency and won his debut at Barbury Castle in December 2021. Marcle Ridge may be the major threat to Born Survivor on his best form and his defeat of Famous Clermont and Maitree Express at Barbury Castle was a highlight of last season. Not seen after fourth in a Hunter Chase at Hereford at the end of January 2022 it is hoped he is back to his best and will be hard to beat. 

The two supporting Conditions races have both attracted entries of another fourteen horses. First of these is the race for Novice Riders. Commanche Red trained by Jenny Gordon and partnered by Molly Landau dead heated at the first Larkhill meeting but was well held at the meeting earlier this month. Miss Seagreen was third in a Ladies Open at the first meeting and was staying on best at the finish. She ought to have come on from that race. Paloma Blue has been runner up in both his two races to date in England and if this race is chosen ahead of the other Conditions Race he would be another to put on the short list. National Hunt trainer Anthony Honeyball has entered Acey Milan winner of a chase at Aintree and it is likely that Chad Bament who works for Anthony will take the ride. Another name from National Hunt is Noel Fehily and this former jockey has entered Pride of Lecale who was last seen winning a Chase at Leicester over two miles. Miss Seagreen is the selection. 

The progressive Fiston des Issards is an interesting entry in the other Conditions race. The winner of Restricted and Intermediate races at Dunsmore and Wadebridge this ex-Gordon Elliott gelding now in the care of Chris Barber is upped in class and has his first experience of Larkhill. Bold Conduct was most impressive winning his Restricted race on his debut for trainer Sally Alner but was pulled up at the last meeting. Rider Natalie Parker thought that there may have been a problem so a line can be drawn against that outing and he would come into calculations. Champion Chase trained by Fran Nimmo was third on his seasonal debut at Horseheath and should show the benefit of that outing. Ballymac Boy reeled off a hat trick of victories last season but has not yet run in 2022-23. The veteran Sir Jack Yeats has had an outing this outing and ought to give Fern O’Brien a good ride and is a tentative selection. 

The meeting begins with a Hunt Members race for the Hunts that hold meetings at Larkhill. Coco Live has a very good record at Larkhill and this locally trained gelding should be too good for his rivals. Thegallantway won a Novice Riders race at the last meeting and he may give Coco Live the most to do. The three-time winning chaser Regaby is a new recruit for James Young and he should be considered. Happy Day Emery won his Maiden at the last meeting but this would be quite a step up. Seamus Mullins likes to run horses in this race and he has entered Bagan the winner of three Hurdles and a Chase at Stratford. 

This is then followed by a Maiden race for 5-year-olds and over for which the biggest entry of 22 horses has been received. Oscara ran a race of promise behind the impressive Regatta De Blanc at the last meeting and he had potential rivals Dorset Diamond, Kayf Taol, Dorset Dazzler and Jethro Said behind him. He may be able to go one better for owner Clive Harrington. Noel Fehily has entered another recruit from National Hunt racing in the form of Parsons Pleasure but he has shown little so far. Millstone had place form when with Tom Ellis but has now moved to Teresa Clark. Sam Loxton has entered Ihandaya placed in two Irish Maiden races and he must come into consideration. Chris Barber’s Maidens should be noted and his Whats Cooking is another to take note of and the same can be said about Putemunderpressure an ex-J P McManus gelding now in the care of Mickey Bowen. Lagan Valley was runner up in his last outing at Horseheath and he again has each way chances.

The Restricted race includes an entry for Happy Day Emery and this looks a good target for him. Andy du Pierres won his Maiden at Hexham but this looks a stronger race. Bloodstone and Cuzzicombe were placed behind Rabble Rouser at the last meeting and they may fight out the finish between them. King’s Quay has been placed on several occasions and is another to consider. Duntish won a Maiden at Siddington and was then runner up in a match at Barbury Castle. Sake of Secrecy should come on for his seasonal debut and he is another for the short list. 

The meeting concludes with a 2-mile Bumper flat race, Most of the 20 entries have yet to race but of those that have run Clover All Over third in a similar race at Garthorpe last season might use his previous experience to his advantage. Trainers with horses to look out for are Fran Nimmo (Below The Radar and Grand Auld Tune), Phil Rowley (It Had to Be Shaw), Seamus Mullins (Roxhill and Stowford) Chris Barber (Corky Carroll and Petherton) and Nigel Hawke (Getuptheyard). A review of the horses in the paddock would be recommended. 

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

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