ARMY
LARKHILL
SATURDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2010

PREVIEW
by Brian and Gill Armstrong

Coombe Hill, winner of a thrilling Coronation Cup earlier this month, can return to Larkhill for the Army Ladies’ Open on Saturday. Coombe Hill beat a top-class 17-strong field three weeks ago, with Theatre Diva running on into fifth and Man From Highworth in seventh after holding every chance at the last. Other candidates include Brown Cockle – fourth to Theatre Diva and Turthen here in January – Barbury Castle runner-up Gold Medallist and Olival, who beat Dick Baimbridge’s four-timer seeking Skyhawk at Cottenham. Coombe Hill is the likely favourite, but Theatre Diva and Man From Highworth will again put up strong challenges.

The Men’s Open entry includes Olival, 2008 runner-up Buckby Lane, Marks Tey winner Victree, course winners Gaelsbob and Goblet Of Fire, and seven-time Larkhill scorer Trade Off, who probably found conditions too testing at Badbury Rings on Sunday. The two to choose from are Thisthatandtother, who settled beautifully and cruised home under Jack Barber at Milborne St Andrew, and the Gormans’ 2008 course winner Merry Vic, who returned from a season’s absence to complete a point-to-point five-timer at Cottenham earlier this month.

Top Ram, beaten a neck on his pointing debut at Detling, has chances of going one better in the opening Military Riders Club Members race (14 entries). Who Else Knew, winner in 2007 and runner-up in 2008, is a standing dish at Larkhill, but Gold Heart was a facile winner of the United Services Military race – with Who Else Knew back in third – and is a confident selection to follow up.

The Restricted has received 37 entries including easy course winner Spiders Nephew, Il Marinaio and Milborne St Andrew winners Different Trades and St Georgina. Cornish trainer Jackie du Plessis has a strong hand with St Georgina and Jayjay Valentine, who won by the length of the run-in in testing conditions at Great Trethew on Sunday, and the du Plessis selected runner will get the vote.

The Maiden race will be run in two Divisions. Course runner-up Allerford Jack, Vintage Class, and Sonofvic, who had every chance when falling at the penultimate at the United Services, are three for Division 1, although Back Is Back should relish running in Maiden company after three Open race outings. Diego Velasquez and Little Choice may be two to consider in Division 2.

The course is found just NW of Amesbury on Salisbury Plain, easily reached off the A303 or A345. First race 12.30pm. The entrance fee is £20 per car; £15 per car with a single occupant; £5 for pedestrians; under 14s free.