Secretary:   Mr James H Young

Contact Details Tel: 01590 623043   Mob: 07771 540919

 Email:   james-young01@outlook.com

Entries Secretary:   As above

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

Entries close:   Monday 4th December 2023 12.30pm

Races:   4 & 5 years old Flat,4 & 5 year old Maiden 2m4f, Mixed Open 3m, Restricted, Conditions (Level 2), 6 years+ Maiden

First Race:   11.00am

ENTRY FEES  £50 per entry per race - NB. Online entry fees £50  2nd entry same horse £25 (non refundable in event of abandonment)

Larkhill hosts its second meeting of the new season on Sunday when the New Forest Hounds move to this pre- Christmas date from their traditional March day. They have been rewarded with a healthy entry of 97 horses spread across the six planned races. Larkhill has reported good going ahead of the meeting and news that all of the bends have been moved since the last meeting. The first race is scheduled for 11.00am and prior to this there is a charity race at 10.15am.  There will be trade stands with opportunities to buy Xmas presents, food and drink outlets to sample and the bookmakers to have a flutter or two with. There is plenty of room to park and the opportunity to get up close to the horses in the paddock before each race. The cost of entry of £15 per person with under 16s free and both cash and cards are accepted on the gate. The racecourse is signed off the A345 and the postcode for Sat Nav is SP4 8QR.

The opening race, a 2 mile Flat race, has received an entry of 14 horses of which only four have previously seen a racecourse. Two of these Teetotaller and Holeshot met at Great Trethew last month with the former finishing third with Holeshot two places behind. Trained by Myles Osborne Teetotaller who is a half brother to the recent Badger Beer winner Blackjack Magic looks an improving sort and with the booking of Will Biddick he looks the best to have raced. Of the newcomers the Kelly Morgan trained Thistimetomorrow, the Sara Bradstock trained Batsman and the Chloe Newman trained Isla Getaway are three to consider.

The Open Maiden for 4- and 5-year-olds to be run over 2 and a half miles features a number of promising sorts including Busby Way placed on his only start last season at Edgcote and All Night Parking who was placed fourth in a similar race at the last meeting. Chris Barber has two entries the ex Irish Beat The Poli and Mount Etna who was placed second in a race a year ago at Larkhill. Subsequently sold after that outing to Nicky Henderson’s yard he had only one outing where he was pulled up. Now back with Chris it will be fascinating to see how he gets on. Clapton Hill, a half brother to Thyme Hill, has some placed form under rules for Ben Pauling and should be considered. The ex Irish Rocky Creed had placed form and is now with Bea Coward and Marching Mason is trained by Hannah Clarke. Let’s Sail Away a half brother to the prolific Twig is a newcomer to consider. 

The Mixed Open has a strong looking field headed by the veteran Southfield Theatre who ran a perfectly respectable race when third to Time Leader at Badbury last month. He will no doubt set off in front but may find some younger rivals too speedy at the finish. The mare Walkin Out is an interesting entry and she should be on the short list as should The Big Sting returning to point to pointing after a short spell under Rules. The prolific Coup de Pinceau has left Syd Hosie’s yard and is now with George Hiscock but does appreciate longer trips these days. Montanna had a good season for owner Reg Hopkins and this course winner could prove the victor  having won first time out last season.

The Restricted race has attracted 20 entries and is headed by Tim Vaughan owned Mary’s Fortune who won easily at Great Trethew but the owner and his son Edward have entries at Wadebridge so others should be considered. Happy Day Emery won his Restricted at Larkhill last season and now he has recovered from the serious cut he suffered in that race this likeable grey is likely to be one of the favourites. Potters Magic won his Maiden at Upcott Cross last season and should continue to progress. Cuzzicombe was very consistent last season and should have place prospects. Whitsand Bay ran a perfectly respectable race at the last meeting and he could be the one to challenge Happy Day Emery.

The Conditions race contains a number of the horses entered in the Mixed Open but of those that only hold an entry in this race Westhill unbeaten in his last three races but unraced last season is of interest. Acey Milan won his last two outings for Chad Bament last season and he is a strong contender. Captain Buck’s needs no introduction but he has changed hands and will be partnered by a novice rider seeking his first victory. Buzzard Trix is trained by Heidi Brookshaw and if making the long trip from Shropshire he might be good enough.

The meeting concludes with an Open Maiden for 6-year-olds and upwards. Of the 10 entries Horizon d’Ainay was second at Badbury last month and his fitness should be an important factor. Rachel Bartlett has entered the two brothers Dorset Dazzler and Dorset Diamond and the last named has the better placed form. The unraced Vigilance trained by Fran Nimmo should be considered as well as the consistent Gallant Geronimo placed fourth at the last meeting. In the absence of the two Tim Vaughan entries Getaway Cory and Ocojohn who would likely start favourite Horizon D’Ainay is the choice.

Larkhill Racecourse is to be found 5m NW of Amesbury, Nr A303, A345 and A360 – Postcode SP4 8QR. First race 11am Entry Costs on race day £15 per person by cash or card, children under 16 go free. 

Race 1:            Flat 4/5yrs 2m 

1^st         Teetotaller

2^nd        Just Our Milly

3^rd        Land Girl’s Luck 

Runners:          9                      Distances:        3l, 13/4l                       Time: 4m 5s

Race 2:            Maiden 4/5 yrs 2m4f 

1^st         Let’s Sail Away

2^nd        All Night Parking

3^rd        Quickly Now Please 

Runners:          12                    Distances:        7l, 4l                            Time: 5m 34s

Race 3:            Mixed Open 

1^st         Grace A Vous Enki

2^nd        Step Back

3^rd        Sizing Cusimano 

Runners:          11                    Distances:        25l, 10l                        Time: 6m 22s

Race 4:            Restricted 

1^st         Our Brother John

2^nd        Happy Day Emery

3^rd        Whitsand Bay 

Runners:          10                    Distances:        6l, 1/2l                         Time: 6m 32s

Race 5:            Conditions Level 2 

1^st         Acey Milan

2^nd        Palmaria

3^rd        Polydora 

Runners:          12                    Distances:        7l, shl                           Time: 6m 34s

Race 6:            Maiden 6yrs+ 

1^st         Horizon d’Ainay

2^nd        Dorset Diamond

3^rd        Gallent Geronimo 

Runners:          5                      Distances:        11l, 60l                        Time: 6m 30s

N/A

It was definitely a day of two halves with the weather making the first half of the New Forest meeting very wet with spectators seeking cover and the visibility made the first three races very difficult to follow. However, the sun made a welcome appearance for the final two races and the day finished in bright clear winter sunshine. On the course there was a riding double for James King, a first training success and the first winners this season for three riders.

Teetotaller was a comfortable winner of the Flat race sponsored by Merlin Ferris under a strong ride under the champion jockey Will Biddick. Trained by Myles Osborne for a partnership consisting of Gavin Mennell, Robert Logan and Sue and George Coneyworths Gavin explained that they had bought the gelding as a 3-year-old store and had been patient with him. Hailing from Hull, Gavin had had a four and a half hours trip to the course but was delighted he had made the effort.  A full brother to the recent Badger Beer winner Blackjack Magic, he is now likely to go into training with Fergal O’Brien and a Hurdles campaign will be planned for him. 

The Four- and Five-Year-Old Maiden race sponsored by GG Law produced an impressive winner in the form of Let’s Sail Away ridden by James King for trainer Eamonn O’Donnabhain. Making his racecourse debut he showed a good turn of foot from the last fence to beat his 11 rivals comfortably. A home bred gelding who is a half-brother to the prolific Twig he is owned by Laurie and Alicia Strangman from Buckinghamshire. They have decided to send this gelding to the sales as they have others as home including Ivetwiggedit who won three races last season for Tom Lacey where Eamonn is his Head Lad.

James completed his double in facile style when Grace a Vous Enki was too good for his rivals in the Mixed Open race sponsored by Southwick Court Fine Wines. Previously trained by Paul Nicholls for his owner Joan Hitchings, the wife of Clive, he had rather lost his way under rules but a switch to Nicky Sheppard’s stable seems to have transformed him. With the more fancied rivals disappointing he was followed home by the veteran Step Back ridden by Lily Bradstock. On the evidence of this outing the winner looks one to follow this season.

Happy Day Emery was a short price to win the Restricted race sponsored by Earlcoate Construction but a shuddering error at the second last fence put him on the back foot and allowed My Brother John who had been held up by his rider Walter Barnett to come sweeping by on the outside and record a six lengths victory. Recording only his second career win and the first this season Walter,20, who comes from Newton Abbott is now the Novice Rider based at Alan Hills yard. Explaining how the role came about, his mother saw an advert for the post and after speaking to Lawney he joined the yard last season. Describing this as a ‘brilliant job’ he was grateful to joint owner Ian Cobbold for the chance to ride the gelding. 

Acey Milan was always prominent in the Conditions Race sponsored by Le Mieux and had six lengths in hand over the fast-finishing Palmaria ridden by Ella Ortewell. Ridden by Chad Bament for his employer NH trainer Anthony Honeyball he had experienced a slipping saddle after being jumped into at the second last but managed to keep everything in place on the run in. Recording his third consecutive victory this former classy individual who started as favourite for the 2018 Cheltenham Bumper is enjoying his experiences in the point-to-point field and has now given his capable rider his eighth career victory and the first for the current season.

Horizon D’Ainay was a comfortable winner of the Six Years and Over Maiden race sponsored by Fawcetts.  Trained by Justin Brotherton for the Pitchfork Partnership he was recording a first victory for his trainer who is based in Broadway Worcestershire and has four horses for this pointing season alongside some breakers and pre trainers. Acquired privately from Dan Skelton where he was placed several times over hurdles, he has thrived in a smaller yard and even had a spin in the Newmarket Town Plate where he finished seventh under Abigail, Justin’s wife. Ridden by Toby McCain-Mitchell the jockey was recording his sixteenth career win including one Hunter Chase and his first for the current season.