It was cold but remained dry and clear at the Royal Artillery point to point at Larkhill where some competitive racing took place with the highlights being a riding double for Will Biddick, a classy performance by My Drogo, a winner for a jockey having his first ever ride at the Wiltshire course and an unusual double for a mare with two of her progeny.
The Hunt Members race was well supported by three of the Hunts that race at Larkhill during the season with the South and West Wilts representative now having bragging rights over the other Hunts for another year. Bea Coward’s day did not begin well with her lorry not starting but it eventually did and her progressive seven year old Douglas Longbottom proved too good for his five rivals. Ridden by Martin ‘Fly’ McIntyre he sat behind the trailblazing Broadford Publican until leading at the fourth last fence and drew clear from the second last. Owned by Catherine Mitchell who rides him in some of his work at home, he had run an excellent race when runner up on his seasonal debut but this race was chosen by Bea to ‘give him an easier race as he always runs his heart out’ . No immediate plans were outlined but Hunter Chasing later in the season may be on the horizon.
The in-form stable of Josh Newman shows no sign of slowing with his latest new recruit Impakt St Georges proving too strong for his seven opponents in the Open Maiden race. Purchased privately in Ireland by his owners John and Floss Symes following placings in an Irish point and Hurdles, Josh explained that ‘he had taken a long time to build up after his arrival last summer’. The race was run at a slow pace until it became a sprint over the last four fences but the winner was always in command from the third last. Josh described that ‘he jumped for fun’ and that’ there should be more to come’.
The Novice Riders race proved to be a very close finish with only a short head separating Midnight Midge, ridden by James Shaw, and Acey Milan ridden by Will Higgs. They were together at the second last and with Acey Milan being a recognized stayer he looked the most likely to prevail. James, however, had other ideas and despite being headed on the run-in his willing mount rallied near the post to just prevail. Riding in his first ever race at Larkhill James was delighted with the outcome and was keen to thank his parents who were present for their support along with Sue and Lucy Gardner for whom James works during the week. He has been riding out on a Friday for trainer Robert Chanin and has been schooling this Midnight Legend gelding. Owned and bred by Ron Hodges along with Lorraine Kelly and Tony Worth he had won six races under Rules all over much shorter trips in a long career under Rules but this was his first try over three miles. Robert explained that ‘everything was in his favour with the better ground and James gave him a great ride’.
Duc De Bourbon followed up his previous course win last month when once again beating Paper Mill in the Conditions race. Ridden by Charlie Sprake he was in command from the second last fence and was pushed out on the run-in. Trained by Sam Loxton at Bruton he runs in the name of the Bruton Club who are a group of Sam’s local friends. He may be seen in Hunter Chases later in the season but Sam did mention a potential tilt at the Coronation Gold Cup at the next Larkhill meeting.
My Drogo was too good for his four rivals in the Mixed Open when giving Will Biddick the first of his two victories on the card. Tracking long time leader Oscars Moonshine, ridden by Olive Nicholls, until the third last he sauntered into the lead and soon drew clear to record an easy victory. Trained by Ed Walker for owners Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes this one-time Grade 1 winner for Dan Skelton when victorious at Aintree was recording his first win since 2021 and as Ed wife’s Polly explained afterwards it was all about ‘giving him confidence and to enjoy his racing again’. He had shown on his first outing that he still retained ability and this win reinforced that opinion. Ridden by Will who is not noted for being voluble during a race, he said that ‘I have never talked to a horse so much as this one in the race which was mainly ‘whoa’!
A competitive Restricted race went the way of All Star Boy ridden by James King who just beat Good Boy Eric, the mount of Will Biddick. Trained by Chris Barber this was Chris’s first winner from his new Herefordshire base and in the winners’ enclosure afterwards he was relieved as well as delighted to have seen his charge break his duck from the new yard. Chris was keen to say that ‘I cannot thank my owners enough for staying loyal to me after moving from Dorset’. Two of these are Paul and Sara Thorman who acquired this gelding in the summer as a fun horse and to remain point to pointing. Already a progressive sort his future looks bright as he moves up in class.
The meeting concluded with a Bumper over two miles. The short priced favourite, Hard Stare, bought as a foal by Rachael Honeyball duly obliged to give Will Biddick his second winner on the day. Ridden by Rachael at home she explained that she and her husband Anthony like to support point to pointing and rather than running him under Rules she thought that a point-to-point Bumper would be a good education for him. He does hold an entry in the Goffs Bumper at Newbury in March but it is not certain he will go for that race. He is by Passing Glance out of a mare called Farewellatmidnight who happens to also be the dam of Go Go Geronimo who was a winner today this time at Revesby Park.