BENEDICTUS has been tipped to clinch the Coronation Gold Cup Men’s Open at Larkhill’s Combined Services meeting on Sunday.

The 10-year-old made an impressive return to point-to-point in January when benefiting from a vintage Will Biddick, pictured, holdup ride to take the 18-runner Larkhill Racing Club Open.

The 15 entries, at the second of the season’s four National Classic races, form a top-flight line-up.

Surenaga, winner of the 2011 classic Lady Dudley Cup, Steeltown, a close runner-up to subsequent Wincanton Hunter Chase winner Coombe Hill at Black Forest Lodge, the prolific Certain Flight, runner-up at Chipley Park, and Court Red Handed, a Brocklesby Park winner 12 months ago. Richard Hewitt has entered King Fontaine and Barbury Castle winner Executive Benefit, who finished fourth in a Taunton Hunter Chase, and his chosen runner may be the one to challenge Benedictus.

Posh Totty, a recent runner-up to Sunday’s Musselburgh Hunter Chase winner Current Event, will get the vote if in the Ladies Open.

Former John Corbet Cup winner My Flora and Chaddesley Corbett winner Sir Du Bearn hold entries, but Catspan gave Byerley Bear food for thought at Black Forest Lodge and looks the danger.

Posh Totty will be an automatic selection if connections opt for the Combined Services Club Members race. Cocklebarrow winner Jetnova, 2013 winner Dead Or Alive, stable companions Quedillac and Trueflyingcolours and Cottenham third Wessex King have chances, but Guy Disney’s former David Pipe-trained Swing Bill, who finished 10th and sixth in the 2012 and 2013 Grand Nationals, looks the main threat.

Dual 2014 winner Done A Runner is fancied to continue Oxfordshire trainer Alan Hill’s good run by taking the Novice Riders’ Intermediate race. Stalbridgeswansong, returning from a 20-month absence, Wadebridge winner Takamaru and Holnicote winner Tucumcari can complete the frame. Ask The Weatherman was just touched off here five weeks ago and can go one better in the Restricted. Briefcase put up a fine round of jumping at the Royal Artillery and looks the strongest challenger.

The card is completed by two Maiden contests; the Mares race and the horses & geldings event.

The meeting gets underway with the King’s Troop RHA Club Members race at 10.45am.

Admission is £10 per person, under 16s go free.