PREVIEW: HURSLEY HAMBLEDON (SUNDAY 30th NOVEMBER)

The busiest point-to-point course in the country, Larkhill on Salisbury Plain, holds the first of its seven meetings when the Hursley Hambledon hosts their meeting on Sunday 30th November with the first of its six planned races due to begin at 12 noon. The course is reported to be in fine shape for its opening meeting with the recent rain keeping the forecast going as good all round. In addition to the racing there will be trade stands to check out, bar and food outlets and the bookmakers to have a bet or two with. Early bird tickets are available at £15 per person until 6pm on Thursday 27th on the GB Pointing website gbpointing.co.uk and thereafter £20 per person either online or on the gate. Under 16s can enter without charge accompanied by an adult. The course can be found 5m NW of Amesbury. What3Words ///tubes.driveway.conquests.

The two feature races are the Open races the first of which is the Ladies Open over the full three miles. Chris Barber has entered his stable star Famous Clermont in this race and his gelding has previous history of being ridden by a lady having won the Hunter Chase at Stratford for the past two seasons when partnered by Izzie Hill. If this race is chosen he will be hard to beat. Izzie Hill has the option of riding IK Brunel trained by her father-in-law Alan and he would be the second choice on his seasonal debut. Of the remaining entries Myth Buster has been a good servant to the Bradstock family, Somptueux was a respectable second at Badbury Rings behind Another Furlough and the former chaser Major Dundee last seen when finishing sixth in the Eider chase at Newcastle. He may appreciate the drop in class to point to points. Paint The Dream returned to pointing at Lower Machen and may come on for that outing.

The Mens Open sponsored by Ward Thomas Removals also has an entry for Famous Clermont but his stable is potentially represented by the leading horse at Larkhill in 2024 namely Grace A Vous Enki. Transferred by his owner Joan Hitchings to Chris Barber he boasts an unbeaten record in seven appearances at the Wiltshire course and will be strongly fancied to record an eighth victory even over the shorter trip of 2 and a half miles. Of his potential opponents the most interesting is Douglas Longbottom trained locally by Bea Coward who won his last four appearances culminating with a victory in a Hunter Chase at Cheltenham in May. He is still improving and if there are any chinks in the armoury of the likely favourite he may be able to capitalise. Beat Box previously with Dan Skelton is the winner of nine races over shorter trips and may give the sponsor a good outing on his point to point debut. Dibble Decker who won three races for Tom Lacey is now in the care of Michael Kehoe and is another interesting recruit to pointing. Due de Bourbon is another who has a good record at Larkhill and A Jet of Our Own who will appreciate the trip certainly adds to the mix of a potentially fascinating race.

The meeting opens with a Maiden race over two and a half miles for 4- and 5-year-olds. Kailipso His was still in contention when unseating Lily Bradstock at Badbury Rings and will be seeking compensation for that mistake. Cue Jump was placed in a Maiden at Larkhill in 2024 and a Maiden at Trebudannon in 2025 and this lightly raced 5 year old looks one to follow. Chris Barber has entered the ex-Irish Carrillo and with his stable already in good form he should be considered. River Don should come on for his debut at Lower Machen but a chance is taken with the newcomer Uncle Boss a half brother to Caius Marcius the winner of 17 races in a very lengthy career. Trained and ridden by Will Biddick he will have been well prepared for his debut.

The Botley Commercial Spraytek sponsored Restricted race may be at the mercy of the Francesca Poste trained Glancing Hill who won two races at the end of last season and this five year old is clearly progressive. Of his rivals O’Hallorans Castle won his Maiden at Larkhill last season but was well beaten by Glancing Hill on his final outing. Tim Underwood does well with

his horses at Larkhill and his representative Song for My Father comes into the reckoning having won two races last season. Fongs Way won at KIlworthy and if travelling from Devon he should be considered.

The Conditions race may see the reappearance of Givega who trounced a sixteen strong field at Larkhill in December before easily winning a Hunter Chase at Leicester in February. Trained by Luca Morgan whose stable is in good form he may be too good for his rivals. Will Biddick has entered the mare Regatta de Blanc who is unbeaten in her pointing outings but rather lost her way when sent under Rules. Her return to pointing is certainly welcome for her enthusiastic owners the Pendil Partnership. Imperial Esprit is the model of consistency and certainly has each way chances. Yippee KI Yay returns to pointing for the Herbert Family and this six-time winning gelding should not be discounted. Shoal Bay is another consistent sort and has each way possibilities..

The Equestrian Fencing and Timber Limited sponsored Maiden race concludes the meeting. The Will Biddick trained mare Winding Lane runner up at Badbury Rings will be strongly fancied to go one better. Related to Bob’s Worth she should have come on from that race. Of her rivals River Don holds an entry in this race and has each way chances. Who’s Houdini who was third behind Crawter last season should find a race based on that form but might need this outing. Corra Bheinn was a resident of Ben Pauling’s yard last season and now with Francesca Nimmo he will be making his fencing debut. Callmedusty was second in a Hurdle at Punchestown last January and is another one to consider.