IMPACT AREA proved a hugely popular winner of the prestigious Coronation Gold Cup for local owner-trainer Harriet Waight at the Combined Services meeting at Larkhill.

Other highlights on a mainly dry day with remarkably good ground after the heavy rain were a training double for Jack Barber and a riding double for Will Biddick.

Impact Area was always prominent until taking up the lead after the 12th fence. Pursued by Buck’s Bond, Steeltown and Warne, Impact Area stayed on strongly and found more when pressed by Templebraden and Real Milan after the last fence.

At the line he still had a length to spare over Templebraden.

Just over a year ago Harriet's grey gelding was an unregistered hunter. His progress has been remarkable and a good advert for her training skills.

Regular rider Louis Muspratt was naturally thrilled to have ridden the winner of a Coronation Gold Cup, one of the Classic races of the point season.

Muspratt said: "I have been thinking about the race all week while working on a building site.

"Impact Area would not allow anyone to pass him."

Harriet added that the morning of the race had not been without a scare as Impact Area had escaped from his box and caused some damage needing repair.

This was his fourth course victory and on the basis of this form more will follow.

The Ladies' Open was the second leg of Jack Barber’s double when Aikideau ridden by Bryony Frost bounced back to form with a comfortable victory.

Owned by Jack’s mother Sarah and her friends Sarah Longman, Tink Gaskell and Pippa James, the gelding had won two races in 2014 but missed last season through injury.

Unsuited by the very soft ground at Chaddesley Corbett, this much better ground suited him well and he was not troubled to beat the evergreen 15-year-old Master Medic by five lengths.

Jack’s double was initiated in the previous race when Overland Flyer held off the challenge of Wotzizname ridden by Martin McIntyre to win the Restricted. Described by Jack as ‘a big weak baby last season,’ he has strengthened over the summer and there should be more victories to come.

He picked up again when challenged on the run-in and prevailed by a head. His longer term future will be at Ditcheat with champion National Hunt trainer Paul Nicholls.

The Club Members' race provided a welcome success for Brockenhurst trainer James Young when Swallowshide ridden by Jody Sole proved too good for Regal Presence (Katy Lyons).

James was delighted to have trained a winner for breeder and part-owner Ian Bare, a family friend for more than 45 years.

The winner of a Wincanton novice hurdle when trained by Emma Lavelle, Swallowshide had rather lost his way under Rules, but the application of a hood and a smaller field clearly reinvigorated his enthusiasm.

Owner Tom Lacey introduced an attractive four-year-old grey gelding in the form of Cirano de Sivola in the Young Maiden.

Bought as a yearling at Deauville for €40,000, he has since been hobdayed and based on this performance there is more to come.

The Lacey point-to-pointers are trained by Tom’s wife Sophie and she has about 12 horses to run. Getting at least 7lb from all of his rivals, Cirano de Sivola outstayed another debutant, the Ed Walker-trained Goodnitesweetheart to win by five lengths.

Ed went one better when Swincombe Scorchio confirmed his promise shown on his previous run at Larkhill when winning the Open Maiden, giving Will Biddick his second winner on the day.

Bred by his owner, Malcolm Yeo from North Devon, he stayed on well to beat principal rival Tom Barton, trained by Sally Alner, by 10 lengths.

The winner is another who has developed over the summer and looks a useful prospect. His half-sister Swincombe Flame, a top class staying hurdler, is now at stud.

The King’s Troop race was won by Gunner Hannah Brasher riding Cornelius, who was never headed.

The 21-year-old rider from Doncaster was on duty at Green Park, London the day before. She finished second in last year’s renewal and was delighted to have secured her first ever victory.