26 May 2009 Preview: Larkhill Racing Club - Larkhill
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
THOMAS GREENALL: fifty wins and counting
photo: Jackie Oliver
Thomas Greenall, who reached his half-century last weekend, is likely to continue his pursuit of his brother Oliver's 56-winner all-time record at Larkhill Racecourse on Sunday.
The meeting - the last of the Wessex season - begins at 2.00pm with the Ablington Challenge Charity Race, a flat race run in aid of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance - participants raised over £7,000 in last year's race. Point-to-Point racing then begins at 2.35pm - the six races have attracted 131 entries - before the Wessex Area Pony Racing Finals take place to conclude the meeting.
Thomas could partner Pristine Condition - already the winner of five races this season - or Holy Joe in the Mens Open. Other contenders include Upcott Cross runner-up Niver Bai, Lee Glanville's Stafford Cross winner Lisheen Storm, and Cape Stormer, Trade Off and Touch Of Flame, the winners of the corresponding race in the last three seasons. Krac D'Argos will be well suited by the Larkhill course and may attempt to make all the running, but Pristine Condition, a winner on last year's card for Oliver Greenall, gets the vote.
There are 17 entries for the Conditions race, including Exceptionnel, the first-ever winner at the Grafton's new Whitfield course a fortnight ago, and Woodbridge Quest, winner of two races for the Charlotte Tizzard stable this season.
Dave Mansell - in second place in the National table with 43 winners - could partner Maranach, who pulled up behind subsequent Stratford Hunter Chase winner Overlut at Cothelstone, while Sue Condry's Cookies Bank deserves a win after four second places this season. Thomas Greenall has a major chance with Tabley winner Ile De Paris, but Bill Warner's Whitfield winner Walter's Laddie is fancied to pounce after the last under Stuart Morris.
The 14 entries for the Ladies Open include Hunter Chase winner Milesian King, course winner Gunship, Tyneham and Sheknowsyouknow, who overturned the Greenall odds-on favourite Phenix Jack at Chaddesley Corbett on Monday.
Lisheen Storm looks ideal for the race if taking this option and can contest the finish with the Maltbys' Rye Brook, unsuited by the soft ground at Bratton Down but always a major threat in faster conditions.
Exceptionnel and Maranach are among the 18 entries for the Intermediate; Beat The Bandits put his best foot forward to make all the running at Holnicote, but Thomas Greenall has a strong hand with Aldea, Intense Suspense, Lord Gee and Snake Rave, and this looks another likely winner for the Champion Elect.
Contenders for the 29-strong entry Restricted race include Ottery winner Turnworth, Catch You Later and Yorkshire raiders Chibuku and Totally Beat. Polly Gundry is already assured of her seventh National title and her chosen mount from Monkstown Jackorey and Quite A Splash will be the selection.
Smokes And Daggers is fancied to take the Maiden for Dave Mansell.
The course is found just NW of Amesbury on Salisbury Plain, easily reached off the A303 or A345. First race 2.00pm. Admission is £20 per car; £15 per car with a single occupant; £5 for pedestrians.
