A VERY competitive day’s racing was the feature of the Combined Services meet at Larkhill.

The highlight was Brackloon High proving a surprise winner in the Coronation Gold Cup for owner Mark Barlow and his son and rider Andrew Barlow who beat much fancied rivals.

Elsewhere, it was a day for visitors to Larkhill from outside the Wessex area who took the spoils on the day with wins for the Fred Hutsby stable, Emma Alvis yard, Tim Underwood and Sophie Lacey who introduced a promising four-year-old in the shape of Sky Pirate.

An excellent turnout of 57 horses contested the six races on a dry afternoon supported by a good crowd.

Although there were only seven runners for the Coronation Gold Cup a case for most of the participants could be made with Aikideau a warm order to follow up on his three previous victories this season at Larkhill.

However, it was not to be the favourite’s day and he never really threatened and finished fifth of the six finishers.

Real Milan, ridden by Jack Jones, looked the winner turning into the home straight but Andrew Barlow got a tremendous leap from his mount Brackloon High at the last and finishing with the real flourish swept by Real Milan to win going away by two lengths.

The meeting began with a welcome winner for the Fred Hutsby stable when Sam Lee riding Superior Fire stayed on well to beat Quedillac ridden by Tom Doggrell in the Novice Rider Conditions Race.

A very competitive 13-runner Restricted race followed with the race over the final two fences being between Passage East, Chester Copperpot ridden by Katy Lyons and Teeton Kato.

Chester Copperpot made an error at that fence causing Katy to be unseated and left Passage East ridden by Sam Jukes to hold off the challenge of Teeton Kato by one and half lengths.

The Club Members' Conditions race turned into a duel between Too Late to Sell ridden by Katy Lyons and the favourite Thereyarsee ridden by Lorcan Williams with the former prevailing by three lengths.

The Maiden Conditions race was won comfortably by Give Us Peace trained by Teresa Clark and ridden by Martin McIntyre.

The final race of the day, the Open Maiden race, saw an impressive debut for the four year old Sky Pirate trained by Sophie Lacey and ridden by Tommie O’Brien.

Tracking the leaders most of the way he took it up from the long-time leader Flying Bandit approaching the last and drew away to win by five lengths.

Earlier in the day, a dramatic King’s Troop race was won by first-time rider Gunner Alice Dunn aboard Cheroot who narrowly beat the only other finisher Burlington ridden by Lance Bombardier Grace Gostelow by a neck.