06 January 2011 Preview: Lark Hill Racing Club - Larkhill
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
KIAMA: could return from lay-off
photo: Tim Holt
Cappa Bleu, the 2009 Cheltenham Foxhunter winner, heads a cracking 24-strong Entry for Saturday's Larkhill Racing Club Mens Open.
The nine-year-old, who is returning to Hunt racing after a season with Evan Williams, faces strong challenges from John and Floss Symes' Whizzaar, a stalwart in Richard Woollacott's Championship campaign last season, as well as Richard Prince's Nenuphar Collonges, the winner of seven races under Rules including the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival.
Lucia Borradaile's Chaddesley Corbett third Turko, Righteous Glory, Fort View and Different Trades - a winner at Chaddesley Corbett on Monday - will be supported. Cappa Bleu's Owners, William and Angela Rucker, have options with Cedrus Libani and Chaddesley runner-up Horsham Lad and their chosen runner is selected to fight out the finish with Ray Geddes' Mustangsallyrally, who was just touched off in the Coronation Cup here in February 2010.
Coombe Hill, the 50/1 Coronation Cup victor, may make his seasonal reappearance in the Ladies Open, along with Oracle des Mottes, another returning to Point-to-Pointing after running under Rules. Silver Jaro, a 50/1 winner of the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival, the Harts' front-running Desert Tommy and Larkhill standing dish, Trade Off, are other contenders. Theatre Diva beat a top-class field here 12 months ago and can follow up. Coombe Hill goes well when fresh and may be the main danger.
The meeting has attracted 164 Entries and two of the contests, the Conditions race and the Maiden, have been divided. Alpha Native is already a winner this season at Wadebridge, but Southwestern showed plenty of sparkle when runner-up on the same card and is fancied for the Conditions (Div 1). Bill Dupont's course winner Vintage Class and Oracle des Mottes (if taking this option) may be the strongest challengers.
Kiama, who missed 2010, is among the 21 Entries for the Conditions (Div 2). Naunton Brook, Big Daves Legend and Cousin John are three candidates, but According To John, who was third to Denman in the 2007 Royal & SunAlliance Chase, may get the better of Kiama.
Mappledre, Marshal Zhukov and Mendip Express may be three debutants to consider in the Maiden (Div 1). Back Is Back, who ran in Open company last season, Wadebridge runner-up Parkam Jack and Hard To Tell, Peyekashe and Tachbury, who were all in the frame at Black Forest Lodge in November, are suggestions for Div 2.
The 36 Entries for the Restricted include course winner Nicholas The Spark and Sew On Target, a good Cothelstone winner in March. Richard Barber has a strong hand and his impressive Bratton Down winner Buck's Bond is fancied to retain his unbeaten record.
The course is found just NW of Amesbury on Salisbury Plain, easily reached off the A303 or A345. First race 11.30am. Admission is £15 per car + driver; £5 each additional person.
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