REPORT: ROYAL ARTILLERY AT LARKHILL – SATURDAY 18TH JANUARY 2020

It was a bright, sunny, crisp winter day at Larkhill on Saturday when the Royal Artillery held their Point-to-Point. With most National Hunt courses either abandoning their meetings due to waterlogging or having to report heavy going, the free-draining course at Larkhill came into its own, with ground reported as no worse than good-to-soft.

This gave rise to some very competitive racing at the Wiltshire course, with the highlights being a dominant performance by Monsieur Gibraltar on his seasonal reappearance, a dramatic conclusion to the Maiden, a double for rider Zac Baker, an improved performance by Chase Me in the Conditions race, and an impressive debut in the first Bumper run at Larkhill.

Monsieur Gibraltar continued his love affair with Larkhill when making his return to racing in the Mixed Open, run in memory of the late Peter and Jane Bailey, both strong supporters of the Royal Artillery Hunt. Having been the leading horse at the course for the previous two seasons, he was sold during 2019 to David Maxwell and is currently unbeaten when ridden by his new owner. However, as David was riding at Haydock, the mount was left with Angus Cheleda, who, other than being hampered by the fall of Expedite at the tenth fence, made the task look very simple with a 15-length victory over Chasforgold. His trainer Rose Loxton indicated that Monsieur Gibraltar would now be campaigned in Hunter Chases for the rest of the season, whereas his successful rider, recording his fourth win of the season, would be going hunting on Monday for his boss Paul Nicholls.

The outcome of the Hunt Members’ race, sponsored by the Honourable Artillery Company, was decided at the second-last fence when the two surviving runners Fleur du Pommier (Alex Edwards) and Adrenalin Flight (Charlie Pike) approached it in virtual unison. Fleur du Pommier (pictured) jumped it well whereas Adrenalin Flight crashed out, leaving the mare to finish alone. Owned by Stan Rawlins and trainer Harriet Waight, she was supplementing her course win at the last meeting and is building a good partnership with the former champion jockey. Stan joked that the colours that Alex was wearing were first worn at Nedge in about 1984 and had done sterling service!

The Maiden, sponsored by Lambourn Salt Therapy and New Barn Farm Stables, proved to be a fortunate winner for the favourite Byzantium Lad, ridden by Zac Baker for trainer Fred Hutsby. He was a well-held second when Famous Clermont, ridden by Martin McIntyre and trained by Christopher Barber, jumped the last but landed rather steeply and gave his rider little chance of staying in the saddle. This was a welcome winner for Fred and his wife Caroline, who owns the six-year-old Yeats gelding acquired via Mark Gichero last summer. Described as still learning his job, there should be further improvement to come. Fred and Caroline had made the comment to Zac before racing that ‘it was about time that you rode us a winner’, so Zac was pleased to oblige.

The Novice Riders’ race, sponsored by Ladies of the Hunt, was won in good style by course specialist Storm Lantern, ridden by his owner Jennifer Harbison who was recording her fifth career winner. His jumping was excellent and he had too much in hand over his five rivals, recording a ten-length victory over Mahlers Star. Acquired privately from Robert Waley-Cohen two seasons ago, this was his second Larkhill victory for Jennifer and fourth overall at Larkhill.

The Conditions race, sponsored by Cordings of Piccadilly, proved to be a duel between the favourite Coco Live (Matthew Fielding) and Chase Me (Zac Baker). Coco Live took up the running after the second-last and looked the likely winner, but Zac had other ideas. Having made most of the running with Merrion Square (Martin McIntyre), he switched his mount to the inside and took up the running again on the run-in to record a two-length victory. Trained by James Ridley, the nine-year-old Mahler gelding is still improving and has connections considering a Hunter Chase option later in the year.

Tim Underwood looks to have unearthed another useful mare in the shape of Miss Massey, who recorded a comfortable win under Philip York in the Restricted, sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Loriners. A half-sister to the prolific Timmie Roe, she broke her maiden status at Edgcote last April on her English debut and was then entered at the sales. Failing to meet her reserve, she returned back to Tim’s yard to continue her racing career and, on this evidence, more successes are likely.

The concluding Bumper (a two-mile Flat race) was a first for Larkhill and 12 of the 16 entries declared for the contest. At the two-furlong marker there were many in contention but turning into the home straight Grand Knight (Peter Bryan) quickly accelerated away from his rivals to record an impressive eight-length victory. Owned by Helen MacPhail and trained by her partner Gearoid Costelloe at Marlborough, he was bought at the Tattersalls Derby Sales last June for €90,000. Gearoid explained that he had bought 10 horses as three-year-olds last year to run in Point-to-Points and bumper races this season. This Slickly gelding is the most forward of his purchases, which is not totally surprising as he was born on 24^th January. He is likely to be seen next at the forthcoming Cheltenham sales on Friday. Behind the winner were two home-bred mares – Madame Hannah (Tommie O’Brien) and Aunt Lily (Martin McIntyre) – so there is still hope for breeders!