ARMY
LARKHILL
SATURDAY 5th January 2008

REVIEW
by Brian and Gill Armstrong

Something Small put up a stunning performance to spread-eagle his 18 opponents in a quality Men’s Open at Larkhill on Saturday. Patiently ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen, Something Small overtook fellow Warwickshire raider Buckby Lane (Tom Ellis) three out before sprinting 20 lengths clear. “He’s a more confident horse this year”, confided owner-trainer Robert Waley-Cohen. “We’ll probably find another Open and then go hunter chasing”. Something Small is now unbeaten in his last five completed outings and could easily be a contender for all the top hunter chases.

Robert and Sam Waley-Cohen after Something Small's easy success

Richard Barber and Rachael Green flew the Wessex Area flag with a double. The Seaborough pair kicked off with Ray and Wendy Geddes’ Oracle Des Mottes, who overcame a near two year absence to account for market rivals Raregem (Polly Gundry) and Red Brook Lad (Charlotte Tizzard) in the Ladies’ Open. Oracle Des Mottes travelled well throughout the race and had little difficulty cruising clear when asked by Rachael approaching the last. Now Listen To Me easily justified favouritism when coasting home in a division of the Maiden for Paul Barber and Harry Findlay, who bought the horse privately from Tom Costello.

Owners Paul Barber and Harry Findlay, and trainer Richard Barber discuss Now Listen To Me's win

Ann Watts’ roundabout journey – Bridgwater to Larkhill via Heathrow – paid off when Big Brendan took the opening Army Saddle Club Members. “I drove [daughter] Debbie and [son-in-law] Gareth to Heathrow airport while [husband] Brian came here with the horse. I arrived just as the race started”, beamed Ann. The win will have painful memories for rider Jody Sole – he dislocated his shoulder riding a finish after the last.

Big Brendan (Jody Sole) jumps the last to win the Army Saddle Club Members race for Pawlett near Bridgwater owners Bryan and Ann Watts

Godfrey Maundrell’s Lisadell King was an impressive Maiden winner, surging into the lead three out and looking to have the race in safekeeping when nearest pursuer Shaver Baines (Rachael Green) fell at the penultimate. “We bought him at Doncaster in August for 2,600gns”, explained Paul Thompson, who looks after five pointers for Godfrey. “He’s always gone well at home, and has grown into himself since we bought him”.

Godfrey Maundrell's Lisadell King was an impressive Maiden race winner

The third Maiden went to the Katie Baimbridge-trained Onslow Road, who made all the running and just lasted home under Ran Morgan. “He’s ex-Venetia Williams and has been eventing so his jumping stood him in good stead”, smiled Tom Gittins, who heads the partnerships of 25 racehorses.

The closing Restricted race was divided at declaration. Exceptionnel (Tim Lane) put in a fine round of jumping to take Division One for Annie Connell’s Northamptonshire yard before Merry Vic justified Marcus and Carolyn Gorman’s journey from Sussex in Division II. “We got him from Tom Costello in the summer”, explained Carolyn. “We realised when he finished third at Cottenham that he stays, so Marcus kicked on a mile out. We’d like to win an Intermediate with him, and then go for the Connolly’s Red Mills Intermediate Final at Cheltenham in May”.

The next Wessex Area meeting is the Royal Artillery at Larkhill on Saturday 26 th January. Between times, the PPORC hold their two-day meeting at Barbury Racecourse, near Marlborough, on the 12 th and 13 th.

THE ARMY at LARKHILL – 5 JANUARY 2008
Entries: 151 Runners: 100 (66%)

Army Saddle Club Members, 12st (5 Runners) 6min: 21sec 1½ lengths, Distance
BIG BRENDAN J. Sole, 4-1
WHO ELSE KNEW (IRE) A. Michael, 5-2
WEST PACES (IRE) H. Wallace, 16-1

Ladies Open, 11st (9 Runners) 6min: 07sec 1L, 2½L
ORACLE DES MOTTES (FR) Miss R. Green, 5-2
RAREGEM Miss P. Gundry, 9-4
RED BROOK LAD Miss C. Tizzard, 2-1F

Mens Open, 12st (19 Runners) 6min: 05sec 20L, 3½L
SOMETHING SMALL S. Waley-Cohen, 5-1
BUCKBY LANE T. Ellis, 12-1
MAN FROM HIGHWORTH D. Bass, 100-1

Open Maiden (Div 1) 567&8yo, 12st (18 Runners) 6min: 17 sec Dist, 1L
LISADELL KING (IRE) G. Maundrell, 10-1
SUPREME ROYAL (IRE) S. Allwood, 7-1
TANGO WITHA MANGO M. Wall, 6-1

Open Maiden (Div 2, Part 1) 567&8yo, 12st (9 Runners) 6min: 20 sec 1½L, 2L
ONSLOW ROAD (IRE) R. Morgan, 16-1
NORTHERN PITCHER I. Chanin, 12-1
MARBLEHEAD (IRE) M. Wall, 3

Open Maiden (Div 2, Part 2) 567&8yo, 12st (10 Runners) 6min: 27sec 16L, 16L
NOW LISTEN TO ME Miss R. Green, EvensF
TRES BIEN N. Wilmington, 7-1
KALISOU (FR) H. Kinchin, 20-1

Restricted (Div 1), 12st (15 Runners) 6min: 22sec 6L, Head
EXCEPTIONNEL (FR) T. Lane, 7-4F
SHADY HOLLOW (IRE) S. Allwood, 4-1
ARF THE PRICE Miss A. Bush, 10-1

Restricted (Div 2), 12st (15 Runners) 6min: 17sec 16L, 4L
MERRY VIC (IRE) M. Gorman, 5-1
CORAL CAY M. Atkinson, 14-1
SILVER MONARCH R. Bliss, 10-1