04 February 2010 Preview: United Services - Larkhill
by Brian & Gill Armstrong
THEATRE DIVA: one of many classy horses entered in the Coronation Cup
photo: Steve Hunt
The Coronation Gold Cup, one of the season's four National Classic races and an Order of Excellence Race, is the highlight of Saturday's United Services meeting at Larkhill (six races, 150 entries, first race 12.30pm).
The Gold Cup has attracted 31 entries, including last year's winner Distant Thunder, Man From Highworth, winner two years ago when sprinting away from top-class opposition and a third-last fence faller 12 months ago when leading, and Horse & Hound Cup winner Southwestern, who has a formidable Point-to-Point record after finishing first or second in his 20 completed outings between the flags. The West Midlands-qualified Just Talking, unbeaten in four 2009 outings, and South East challenger Merry Vic, winner of five races in 2008 but absent since, are other multiple winners.
Drybrook Bedouin, who gave Roulez Cool a scare at the Royal Artillery, Gaelsbob and Rockwithacaveman will all relish a stamina test. Local flagbearers include Coombe Hill, Le Duc, who was caught after the last at Chipley Park, Mustangsallyrally and seven-time Larkhill winner Trade Off. Southwestern is the selection to add the Gold Cup to his list of big race wins, with Theatre Diva, who put a tremendous performance to beat Turthen fair and square here a fortnight ago, the suggested danger. Man From Highworth is the obvious alternative on fast ground. Drybrook Bedouin may chase up the front two in more testing conditions.
The five supporting races do justice to the main event. The Intermediate has attracted 15 entries, including William Somers, second at the Royal Artillery meeting here a fortnight ago. Walter De Wodeland was leading when falling at the second last at Chipley Park, but Pezreuil was an impressive winner on the same card, and is a confident selection to follow up.
Spiders Nephew, one of Godfrey Maundrell's three Royal Artillery winners, is among the 37 entries for the Restricted, and has a leading chance. Three alternative suggestions are easy Chipley winner Ashwell Lad, Cappoquin, a comfortable course winner a fortnight ago despite idling in front, and Civil Disobedience, who impressed at the Berkeley in April and gets the vote.
There is a quality 13-strong entry for the opening United Services Club Members' race for the Earl Haig Cup. Who Else Knew is a Larkhill regular and may fight out the finish with ex-chaser Osako D'Airy, the Ruckers' Petit Lord and Grade 1 chase winner Ungaro.
Two Maiden divisions complete the card. Allerford Jack was cantering when falling at the Royal Artillery and can gaining compensation by beating Horsham Lad and Vintage Class in Division One. Dovecote Wood, Master Flight and Sonofvic are three to consider in Division Two, but St Georgina was a good runner-up here in January and can go one better.
The course is found just NW of Amesbury on Salisbury Plain, easily reached off the A303 or A345. First race 12.30pm. Admission is £15 per car and driver; £5 per additional adult; under 14s free; £5 pedestrians.
