THE Coronation Gold Cup, one of the classic races of the national season is the highlight of the Combined Services meeting due to be held at Larkhill on Sunday.

Traditionally always a competitive race, the latest renewal will be a major attraction for racegoers and the card is supported by six other competitive races including the annual running of the King’s Troop Race, which starts proceedings at noon.

The Coronation Gold Cup which has reverted back to a Mixed Open this year with no penalties has attracted a high class entry including the prolific Aikideau, already the winner of three ladies’ races at the course this season.

The most interesting entry who may make his seasonal debut is Current Event owned by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani and trained by Rose Loxton and who finished fourth in the Cheltenham Foxhunters last season.

After the King’s Troop race, the Club Members, Conditions race follows which is open to novice riders and has attracted a good quality entry of 13 horses.

The race may see the return to action of course specialist Hincheslea Moor who will have a new partner in the form of Bradley Paris-Croft having missed all of last season.

The Restricted race may see the return of Chester Copperpot a very easy winner at the Royal Artillery meeting for owner Pat Awdry and Stuart Penny and a repeat of that performance could easily see him in the winner’s enclosure again.

The Club Members’ Conditions Race looks an ideal opportunity for Facile Bien to continue his upward progression for owner Robert Waley-Cohen and his usual rider Sam Waley-Cohen.

Already the winner of two races this season he looks to have more potential than most of his rivals in the contest.

The two-and-a-half mile Maiden race confined to horses that have run at least four times without success looks a difficult race to find the winner.

Lake Balaton finished a close second in a maiden at Trecoed last June and a repeat of that form might be good enough.

The meeting concludes with an Open Maiden race which has attracted the biggest entry namely 21 horses.

Of those with form, Carrignagapple ran well in defeat at Milborne St Andrew and must have every chance of going one better.

n Larkhill racecourse is to be found five miles north-west of Amesbury, near A303, A345 and A360 – Postcode SP4 8QR.

Entry costs £10 per person.