PREVIEW: COMBINED SERVICES (SUNDAY 8TH FEBRAURY)

The continuing wet weather is having a major impact on the Wessex point to point calendar and following the postponement of the South Dorset meeting last Sunday the focus now moves to Larkhill where the Combined Services hold their annual fixture on Sunday 8th February.in aid of the military charity SSAFA. The headline race is one of the traditional four classic races of the season namely the Colt sponsored Coronation Gold Cup Mixed Open. A race of great history and tradition it is a race that most owners , trainers and jockeys want to win and will likely to be a very competitive event.

The weather has resulted in a huge entry of 147 horses for the meeting and as a consequence the Maiden race has already been divided and racing brought forward to start at 12 noon with half hour intervals for the planned seven races. The traditional King’s Troop race will not be taking place this year but hopefully will return in 2027.

The course continues to take the rain well and with the current going of good, good to soft in places there should be some excellent racing to enjoy. There will be trade stands to browse, food and drink outlets and the bookmakers to have a wager with. Early bird tickets are available at £15 until 6pm on Saturday 7th on gbpointing.co.uk and £20 on the gate with under 16s free if accompanied by an adult. The postcode for the course is SP4 8QR.

The feature race, The Coronation Gold Cup has attracted a high-quality field of 21 horses headed by the prolific Larkhill winner Grace A Vous Enki who will be seeking his 10th consecutive victory at the Wiltshire course. Trained by Chris Barber who is seeking his first Coronation Gold Cup winner he is very keen to emulate the success of his late grandfather Richard who trained multiple winners in the 1990s including Fantus, What a Hand and Brackenfield. It will take a tremendous effort to lower the colours of Grace A Vous Enki who has looked on top form in his two outings this season. His main potential rival is Gracchus de Balme who won the Aintree Foxhunters and the Stratford Horse and Hound Cup last season but is on a retrieval mission after pulling up in a Hunter Chase at Ludlow last month. On his best form he would give the likely favourite the most to do. Of the others A Jet of Our Own has already won a competitive Open race at Larkhill but has not run up to that form in his last two outings. Beacon Edge brings a background of high-quality racing under Rules when with Gordon Elliott and did win on his debut for new trainer Josh Newman but may find younger legs too speedy for him. Histrionic and Highstakesplayer were duelling at the last fence until Ivor Herbert unseated off the last named leaving the Lucas Murphy ridden rival to coast home. They may fight out for minor honours with Grace A Vous Enki the selection.

The meeting begins with a Conditions race for Novice Riders for which an entry of 27 horses has been received. Both Histrionic and HIghstakesplayer have entries and this race would be easier than the feature race. Sam Loxton, the trainer of Histrionic, has also entered Duc De Bourbon and on his best form he would be on the short list. Arthur’s Sixpence was unbeaten in his two outings last season and with his trainer Harry Brown on fine form he should be considered. Farnoge was only narrowly denied on his pointing debut for his rider Freddie Fletcher and is another with chances. One True King has been running in Hunter Chases and Open races and he might appreciate the drop-in class. In an open-looking race Duc De Bourbon is the choice.

The Restricted race features a number of last time out winners and of these Follow My Order was dominant when making all in his Maiden last month and is on the upgrade. Similar comments apply to both Woodstock Octo who won his debut at Dunsmore and Carrillo who

won on his English debut in December in impressive fashion. Good Boy Eric won two of his three races last season and looks one to follow this season. Boley Bob is an entry from Joe O’Shea’s yard and should be considered. Dom Rodrigo was placed on his seasonal debut and this Phil Rowley trained gelding will have come on from that outing. Dorset Dazzler has recorded two successes at Larkhill this season but was well beaten on his Hunter Chase debut at Taunton. Woodstock Octo is held in high regard by his trainer and is the choice in a race that is bound to throw up multiple winners this season.

The Conditions race (Level 2) may see the reappearance of the improving Glancing Hill trained by Fran Nimmo and already the winner of two races this season. Hidden Heroics is unbeaten in his two races for his Novice Rider Henry Neale at Wadebridge but this looks a tougher race. Kandor looked useful when winning a similar race in December and should be on the short list. Punches Cross runs well in these type of races and has place possibilities. Ultimate Survivor is progressive and may be the one to trouble Glancing Hill the most.

The Maiden has 18 horses entered in each division and in the first the ex-Irish Chiroqui Princess has been the runner up in three Irish Points. Now trained by Will Thirlby this will be her British debut. Another ex-Irish horse is the Chris Barber trained Skeeter Rock who was placed on his only outing and with his stable in such good form he must be considered. Valentin De Maine, a half brother to the stable favourite of Happy Day Emery, ran an encouraging race at the last meeting and ought to have come on for that race. Drayton Flyer placed in three Hurdles for Olly Murphy is now with Alan Hill and looks an interesting recruit to pointing. Tom Lacey always does well with his newcomers and Gallant Tide is another to consider. Skeeter Rock is the selection.

The Second division also features another newcomer from Tom Lacey’s stable in the form of Hive Runner by Blue Bresil and with the weight allowance as a four-year-old he may be the one to support. River Don was an encouraging second in November and has chances. Strolling Along was previously trained by Dan Skelton and now with Will Biddick it will be interesting to see what a change of scenery can do for this placed Hurdler. Walkingtheline did not show much on her debut for Chris Barber but this placed hurdler may run better on her second outing. Will Thirlby has the placed Colonel Whizz entered and he should be considered.

The meeting concludes with a Bumper over 2 miles where there are 15 entries. Ruling Planet was runner-up in a similar race last month and should have benefitted from that outing. Miss Bossy Boots trained by Fran Nimmo was third in a race last season at Sandon. Gina Andrews has entered Wise Maiden a half sister to a number of winners and she should be checked in the paddock. Of the other newcomers Will Biddick has Gunningforyou, Justin Brotherton has Dadavic and Solent Breeze and Stuart Sampson has Upto Charlie. Ruling Planet is the choice.