By Robert Bracher

Despite an overcast and generally grey day, the racing at Larkhill’s Royal Artillery race meeting more than made up for the weather. On the course there were a number of notable performances, with two riders bringing in their first ever winners at Larkhill. Another dominant performance from course specialist James King which was topped off with an impressive performance in the concluding Bumper.

The meeting began with a competitive Maiden sponsored by Cordings of Piccadilly. Follow My Order was sent to the front by Charlie Marshall and maintained the advantage to the line ten lengths ahead of Diamond Tiki ridden by Lily Bradstock. Trained by Mike Felton for the Wishful Thinkers who consist of The Honourable Charlotte and James Townshend and John and Lavinia Rawlins from Bishops Caundle near Sherborne. Mike acquired the gelding from Tom Malone after his runs in Ireland and put together the partnership who all live close to his base. Charlie revealed, “This is my first ever Larkhill winner after numerous rides. He was very clever in front knowing when to go long and shorten.” He looks one to follow as the season develops.

The feature race, the Seamus Mullins and We Do Vans sponsored Mixed Open, was a high-class affair with two winners from last season’s Cheltenham Hunter Chase evening, Crawter and Douglas Longbottom taking on the prolific Grace A Vous Enki who was seeking his ninth consecutive victory at Larkhill. As usual James King took Grace A Vous Enki into a prominent position and despite the valiant effort of Douglas Longbottom he was not for being beaten. Watched by his enthusiastic owners Clive and Joan Hitchings, he relishes this track. Chris Barber described him as “One of the easiest horses to train and to do anything with, he loves his work and regularly squeals with pleasure at home.”

The Conditions race for Novice Riders, sponsored by the Ladies of the Royal Artillery Hunt, had a dramatic finish with Highstakesplayer and Histrionic ridden by Lucas Murphy, duelling as they approached the final fence. But Highstakesplayer blundered, unseating Ivor Herbert, leaving Histrionic and his young rider to coast to an easy victory, watched by his proud father, former National Hunt jockey Timmy. Trainer Sam Loxton explained, “The change of scenery and routine as well as the drop in class has made a difference to him.” A tilt at the Coronation Gold Cup is potentially on his radar.

The loudest cheer of the day followed the success of Corporal JackJones in the Conditions race sponsored by the Gentlemen of the Royal Artillery Hunt. Trained by Poppy Skipper for the Hive Partnership, a group of local friends, he continues on an upward curve following his win at Chaddesley Corbett.

Another rider back in spotlight after a long absence was Martin ‘Fly’ McIntyre who recorded his first winner of the season when steering the Bea Coward trained Ultimate Survivor to victory in the Southern Counties sponsored Restricted race. Fly joked afterwards that ‘I have finally come out of the freezer and hope that this win will lead to many others’

The concluding Bumper featured a number of well-bred sorts but it was the son of Frontiersman One For Snowy who produced an emphatic performance. Taken by James King to the front with four furlongs to go, he quickly drew clear. Bred by his owner Adrian Parker, he still lives with Paul Morgan near Cardiff. James added, “I was not available to ride when he made his debut but I knew he had ability and he showed it well today and I had difficulty pulling him up.” Morgan also a four-year-old full sister at home also owned by Adrian.