05 January 2012 Preview: Larkhill Racing Club - Larkhill
by Brian and Gill Armstrong
SPECIAL ACCOUNT: The three time winner in GB (leading) could make his seasonal debut on Saturday
photo: Tim Holt
The progressive Special Account, winner of three races last season, including a stunning performance at Buckfastleigh, and Now Listen To Me, runner-up in Cheltenham's Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate Final in May, are the two suggestions from a cracking 31-strong entry for Saturday's Larkhill Racing Club Mens Open.
Challengers include Chaddesley Corbett winner Any The Wiser, Lorikarad, a game winner at Tweseldown in December, and Knowhere, who has run in two Cheltenham Gold Cups and three Grand Nationals. William and Angela Rucker have options with Cedrus Libani, winner of his last four races in 2010/11, and Bay Cherry, a dual winner under Rules for Graham Wylie. Richard Barber has a strong hand with Barbury Castle winner According To John, Mustangsallyrally and Chapoturgeon, winner of the Jewson Chase at the 2007 Cheltenham Festival and a likely Christie's Foxhunter candidate if achieving the qualification. Sally Alner has entered Master Medic and Jayne's Crusader, who both impressed when first and second at Barbury Castle. The Alner and Barber runners may prove the strongest challengers to Special Account and Now Listen To Me.
The Ladies Open has attracted 27 high-class entries, including seven horses that have already won this season. In-form Jackie du Plessis has entered Ideford Arch winner Armenian Boy and Theatre Diva, runner-up to Description in last season's contest. Hunter Chase winner Turko, Trueflyingcolours, who ejected Will Biddick just after the winning post at Barbury Castle, Kicks For Free, unbeaten in completed points, Tweseldown winner Mount Sandel and runaway Whitfield winner Palypso De Creek will all be supported. Gwanako, winner of Aintree's 2008 Topham Chase and Hills Of Aran, winner of eight races under Rules, must be respected, but Sericina returned with a Wadebridge win and is the selection from Theatre Diva. Palypso De Creek and Wadebridge winner Monkerty Tunkerty may contest third place.
The meeting has attracted 181 entries and the Maiden will be run in three Divisions. I'm No Turtle, Oak Apple and Ronnie Ronalde may be three to consider in Div 1. Aironageestring, placed in his three Point-to-Points to date, Parstara, bang in contention when falling two out at the Cotley, I'm An Article and Zarumba are four suggestions for Div 2. Buckle End, Spuddler, Tiny Tenor and Vicsaflia are four to choose from in Div 3.
Aironageestring and stable companion The Slug are among the 30 entries for the Conditions race. Petit Lord, who made a pleasing reappearance at Barbury Castle, 2010 Coronation Cup winner Coombe Hill, and Who Else Knew, a good Tweseldown winner for trainer Stuart Penny in December, are three to consider. Pastek would be a popular winner after missing a marker and being disqualified at Ideford, but Buck's Bond, absent since falling at last season's corresponding meeting, is a confident selection if making his reappearance here. Petit Lord may be the alternative.
Buck's Bond is among the 28 entries for the Restricted and gets the vote if connections take this option. In his absence, Glass'N A Half, Rumbavu and Pat Tollit's Badger Sett may fill the placings.
The course is found just NW of Amesbury on Salisbury Plain, easily reached off the A303, A360 or A345 (SP4 8QR). First race: 11.30am. Admission is £15 per car and driver; £5 each additional adult, £5 pedestrians, under 16s free.
