19 January 2012 Preview: Royal Artillery - Larkhill
by Brian and Gill Armstrong
SURENAGA: Lady Dudley Cup winner could return this weekend
photo: Jackie Oliver
Surenaga can make a winning first appearance for the Philip Rowley stable in the Royal Artillery Mens Open at Larkhill on Saturday.
The 10-year-old landed the Royal Artillery Gold Cup and the Lady Dudley Cup for trainer Sally Randell last season, before finishing third in the 17-runner English Summer National at Uttoxeter in June. Potential opposition includes Ray Geddes' pair According To John and Mustangsallyrally, Bill Dupont's Vintage Class and the Waley-Cohens' Any the Wiser, who filled four of the first five places in the Larkhill Racing Club (LRC) Mens Open here a fortnight ago. Master Medic, who fell five out after starting favourite for the LRC race, and the Bishops' former Haldon Gold Cup winner Pablo Du Charmil are two others to consider. Rosies Peacock gave a fine performance to finish second to top-class mare My Flora at Chaddesley Corbett and may be the one to challenge Surenaga.
Philip Rowley can complete a double in the Ladies Open with The General Lee, who was denied a victory when swerving after the last at the Cheltenham Hunter Chase Evening before finishing fifth in Stratford's Horse & Hound Cup. The 12 entries include David and Lucia Borradaile's ex-Paul Nicholls-trained Classic Swain and the Goulds' course winner Own Line, who relishes a fast surface. Sagalyrique finished runner-up when making his pointing debut for William and Angela Rucker at Chaddesley Corbett and looks the biggest danger.
The 18 Intermediate entries include Hincheslea Moor, an impressive LRC winner for James H. Young and David Turner. Robert Waley-Cohen has entered Any The Wiser and Barbury Castle third Rumbavu, while the Jenny Pidgeon-trained Orient Legend gave a fine front-running performance under Tom Ellis here a fortnight ago. Commander Kev was a good runner-up at the Harkaway meeting but Hincheslea Moor may get the better of the Waley-Cohen runner.
Moyode Wood finished second in a 17-runner Restricted at the PPORC at Barbury Castle in December and stands out among the 11 entries for the 3m Maiden. Morgan's Bay and Ronnie Ronalde showed promise at the LRC fixture and are two to consider for the 2m4f contest, but may give way to Brian Kilpatrick's Ooson, pulled up at Wadebridge but well regarded by connections and worth a second chance.
The meeting opens with the King's Troop RHA Club Members race, which is best watched, with so little form available for punters. Stan and Sally Rawlins' Righteous Glory looks a good thing for the Hunt Members' race. Godfrey Maundrell's Minor Chord may live up to his name and complete the forecast.
The course is found just NW of Amesbury on Salisbury Plain, easily reached off the A303, A360 or A345 (SP4 8QR). First race: 11.00am. Admission is £15 per car and driver, £5 each additional adult, £5 pedestrians, under 16s free.
For going updates and meeting information, call Talking Point on 09068 44 60 61. For a list of entries via fax, call 09068 44 99 88. All calls cost 61p/min plus network extras.
