Combined Services
Larkhill
Saturday 4th February 2012
by Brian and Gill Armstrong
Ringaroses can make a winning point-to-point debut in the Coronation Gold Cup Men's Open, one of the season's four national Classic races, which highlights Saturday's Combined Services meeting at Larkhill (seven races, first race 11.30am).
Ringaroses has won two bumpers, three hurdles and two chases under Rules, and showed that he retains plenty of ability when runner-up in a 20-runner Aintree hurdle last April. A son of top staying hurdler Rose Ravine, he is a half-brother to Alvino, who landed an easy success for Cirencester owner-breeders Nicholas and Cherry Jones in the 2007 Coronation Gold Cup. Chapoturgeon and Cloudy Lane, first and second in the season's opening hunter chase at Newbury in January, look the main opposition if taking this option to bid for Christie's Foxhunter qualification.
Chapoturgeon, winner of the Jewson Chase at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival, should be more at home on the sharp Larkhill course than Cloudy Lane, but the latter, winner of Cheltenham's 2007 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Chase and sixth when 7/1JF for the 2008 Grand National, had been absent since finishing eighth in the 2010 Grand National and may have benefited from the Newbury outing. Coombe Hill and Mustangsallyrally, who fought out the 2010 Coronation Gold Cup when the race was run as a Mixed Open, may contest the final position in the frame.
Royal Artillery winner Quedillac features among the nine entries for the Ladies Open, along with Dust In Time, who came from the clouds to win a Folkestone hunter chase 11 months ago, and Ideford Arch winner Armenian Boy. Gwanako and Theatre Diva were second and third to Description in the Larkhill Racing Club Ladies' contest here in January and can fight out the finish.
The 11 entries for the opening Club Members race include Who Else Knew, She Is A Cracker and Righteous Glory, who have all won this season. Dawn Display is an enigmatic character, but may oblige at a decent price if putting in a fluent round.
The Intermediate, which is confined to Novice Riders, has attracted nine entries. The Richard Barber-trained Keppols Hill won in Ireland, so has a similar profile to last year's winner Dualla Lord and is a confident selection.
Keppols Hill is also among the 14 entries for the Restricted, along with stable companions Glass'N A Half, I'm The Article and Toby Lerone. Opposition includes Dinnie O, who easily landed a gamble at Chipley Park, course winner Manton, Dunthrop winner Rock And Ska, and Parkam Jack, who is well regarded by connections. The Barber selected runner will get the vote.
Two Maiden contests feature on the remainder of the card. Parstara led over the last when runner-up here in January and is fancied for the Mares' race. Comeonginger can make a winning debut in the Horses and Geldings event.
The course is found just NW of Amesbury on Salisbury Plain, easily reached off the A303, A360 or A345 (SP4 8QR).
First race: 11.30am. Admission is £15 per car and driver; £5 each additional adult, £5 pedestrians, under 16s free.
