PREVIEW: KIMBLEWICK (SATURDAY 4TH APRIL)

Lift Me Up and IK Brunel, winners at the Kimblewick Hunt meeting over the last two years, are set to do battle in front of a bumper crowd at Kimble on Easter Saturday (1.30pm).

Trainer Maxine Filby sent out Lift Me Up from the Marston St Lawrence stables of former Spice Girl Geri Horner and her motor racing husband, Christian, to land a mixed open over 2m 4f on this card in 2024.

Last year the same prize was claimed by IK Brunel from Alan Hill’s Aston Rowant yard.

With the mixed open having been scrapped, the two horses are now on a collision course in the 5G Communications Men’s Open to be run over 3m – with the pair both on retrieval missions.

Lift Me Up, who has a new pilot in Sean O’Connor, takes a massive drop in class after being pulled up in the Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Filby said: “We know Cheltenham is not his favourite place but he definitely didn’t like it this time at all. We know he likes this course and the better ground. Hopefully the sun will shine and he will be back to what he can be like. But it just depends on how he gets out of bed in the morning.

“He is quite a stressy horse. He is quite opinionated and you know when he doesn’t like things. The annoying thing is he looks amazing and riding him, he is in the best form we have had him.”

IK Brunel, who was sixth to Beacon Edge at Didmarton last time out, is also entered in the ladies open but Hill is leaning towards letting him take on Lift Me Up, with James King on board.

The master of Woodway Farm reported: “It looks a very competitive ladies on paper and I think at the moment we favour the men’s.

“He has had a wind op since his last run because he was very disappointing, so hopefully it will be of great benefit.”

A six-strong line-up is completed by Harry Brown’s Lord Ashton of Hyde’s Cup hero, All Loved Up, Janika, who was fourth to Lift Me Up two years ago, Padjoes Legacy and Skandiburg with the quartet all holding other entries over the Bank Holiday.

With clerk of the course Graham Tawell reporting on Tuesday that the going was Good with watering to take place if necessary, the revamped six-race card has attracted 47 entries.

Filby and the Horners are also set to be represented by their exciting French import Cartesien in the Lawnflite Ladies Open.

Formerly trained by Francois Nicolle, the six-year-old grey made an impressive UK debut with an easy three-lengths win over Bothwell Bridge at Guilsborough.

Filby commented: “We are not sure what we have got and it will be nice to see him run again. He is quite a difficult horse to keep in one piece, so we will take it a race at a time. He is pretty smart.”

Janika, who unseated two out when holding every chance at Fakenham last time out, has also been entered here by Ed Turner as has Nigel Padfield’s Padjoes Legacy, who completed a hat-trick when dead-heating with Commander Of Ten at Parham last weekend.

Together with IK Brunel, another entry of six is completed by Myth Buster with Lily Bradstock expressing a preference to run at her local track, Lockinge, on Easter Monday depending on the ground, and Calidad, who beat the useful Learntalot at Siddington last time out.

Myth Buster is also in the Alan Fantham Memorial Kimblewick & Adjacent Hunts Conditions Race (Level 2), which has been opened up to include entries from the Bicester with Whaddon Chase, Old Berkshire, Heythrop, Vine & Craven plus the Berks & Bucks Draghounds.

Hill, who has won the corresponding contest an incredible 14 times, is set to rely on The Dancing Tree from his three entries.

The seven-year-old is chasing a four-timer and the trainer feels he is his best chance of the day, explaining: “He will get 10lb of Myth Buster, so I think he is well in at the weights. He is in great form. I am impressed with what we are seeing from him on the course and at home.”

Eight entries have been received with All Loved Up and Skandiburg also having this option along with Elen Wylie’s Ston Easton runner-up Au Fleuron and Longshanks.

Bradley Gibbs is anticipating a bold showing from Ask Elli in the Richardsons Chartered Accountants Restricted, which has also attracted eight entries.

The six-year-old mare has made the frame in all four starts this term, chasing home What’s Up Harry at Didmarton last time out.

Gibbs, who has entered Bluescape as a back-up, said: “She is in very good form and is very consistent. Hopefully she will get her head in front on Saturday.”

With Tellmesomethingood bound for Lockinge, Hill will be looking to Nice To See You to bounce back to form.

“He won his maiden and next time out at Horseheath he never went at all,” commented the Aston Rowant handler. “He then ran at Brocklesby and came home and scoped dirty.”

Nick Wright’s Steppingstone and Graveside Lad, from Turner’s Suffolk stables, also come into the reckoning.

Gibbs, successful in the Charles Elliott Sculptures Maiden for the last two years with Premier Fantasy and Bluescape, has a likely contender again in No Case To Answer.

The Hertfordshire handler explained that he will weigh up the potential opposition before deciding whether to let the six-year-old – a respectable fourth at Didmarton last time out – take his chance or aim him at Eyton-on-Severn on Monday.

Myfanwy’s Magic, a neck second to Bollin Special at Cothelstone for Charlie and Hannah Marshall, looks a leading player along with Bradstock’s Kingston Blount runner-up, Master Potter, if heading here rather than Lockinge.

Hill is unsure of Incitatus’s participation, adding: “I think the four ‘Ps’ by his name at the moment don’t quite do him justice on his early runs but his last two runs were very disappointing.”

This contest has the highest entry of 11 with Glance Away and Breathless Bishop others to consider, while Irish import Kranky Kelly is worth checking in the betting,

Hill is set to give a yard debut to last year’s runner-up, Westhill, in the opening Hildreth’s Garden Centre Conditions Race (Level 2) for Novice Riders.

Formerly trained by Francesca Poste, the 11-year-old has moved to Woodway Farm to give owner-rider Anna Mackenzie more opportunity to ride out as she works in London.

Hill said: “He came in late because she wanted to ride more in the spring when there were better opportunities for him. He is in very good order, going nicely at home galloping and schooling.”

Wright has the choice of Clashhill and Fame And Concrete, while Toss Again is on a hat-trick for Jenny Owen and Hystery Bere, a four-time winner under rules, is an interesting contender on his pointing debut for trainer-rider Joe Neal.

Gates open at 10.30am and admission is £15 in advance or £20 on the gate, with 16s and under free. Reserved course-side parking ranging from £35-£65 – not including admission – is available at the Kimblewick Races website together with hospitality at £75 per person.

Along with shopping and food and drink outlets, there will be children’s entertainment from 11am plus a family dog show from 11.30am. Entry is £3 per class at the website.

Kimble is five miles south of Aylesbury off the B4009, six miles from the A41. HP17 8TB. Racegoers are advised to arrive early.