PREVIEW: BERKS & BUCKS (SUNDAY 24th MAY)

Trainer Alan Hill has rerouted IK Brunel to the Berks & Bucks Draghounds Point-to-Point at Kingston Blount, near Chinnor, on Sunday (2.30pm) after the cancellation of hunter chases by the BHA due to increasing numbers of reported equine influenza cases. 

The 12-year-old was on course for the ladies final at Stratford’s prestigious hunter chase evening on May 29 but with that fixture abandoned will instead bid to win the Mutlucan (Turkey) Mixed Open for the third successive time. 

Hill, who has also entered Senior Citizen in the feature race and the novice riders’ contest, recognizes IK Brunel faces a tough task against The Big Lense after finishing third behind the Jenny Owen-trained 13-year-old here last month. 

The Aston Rowant handler said: “Unfortunately with hunter chases having been abandoned he will probably run in the mixed open at Kingston on a course he loves. On all known form he can’t beat The Big Lense but we can’t go to Stratford, so we will have a go.”    

He added that a decision wouldn’t be made on Senior Citizen until later in the week, but commented of the 13-year-old’s win at the last Kingston meeting: “James King reckons it was one of the best spins he has had this season. He said he was just electric and would loved to have taken on The Big Lense that day.” 

The 13-strong line-up also includes Empire De Maulde, who had IK Brunel back in third when scoring for Robert Varnham’s Surrey stables at the last meeting, while the Harry Brown-trained Bass Rock, who split The Big Lense and IK Brunel when second here in April, could bid to turn the tables. 

What A Glance, second to Alaphilippe at Warwick for Tom Britten, is another with strong claims along with Laura Richardson’s Loud And Proud, who landed the mares’ hunter chase at the Midlands course. 

With the going reported to be Good on Tuesday and watering to take place to maintain current conditions, the South Midlands Area’s final meeting of the season has received 58 entries. 

Empire De Maulde, with leading ladies’ novice rider Katie Featherstone aboard, also holds an engagement in the Oakingham Stud PPORA Club Members Conditions Race (Level 2) For Novice Riders. 

Lucas Murphy, the leading men’s novice rider, could bid to add to his tally aboard Peper Harow winner Carrickfergus for trainer David Phelan in this 2m 5f contest, which has attracted 15 entries. 

Tabley winner Amidnightstar, representing the combination of Britten and Fred Philipson-Stow, comes into the reckoning, along with Joe Neal’s Hystery Bere, who was fourth to Arthur’s Sixpence at Warwick. 

Ask Nile occupied the same spot behind Island Run here two weeks ago and Tim Underwood is set to give the 14-year-old another crack at this prize, having finish third 12 months ago. 

The Beedon owner-trainer said: “He is bouncing in himself. He could do with a bit of rain because he gets jarred up on fast ground. He will probably finish in the ruck.” 

Murphy looks to hold strong claims aboard Lockinge winner Castletown for his mother, Verity Green, in the Simply Salt Owner-Trainer Conditions Race (Level 3). 

Designer Destiny, second under Bruce Vaughan behind Island Run here two weeks ago, rates the danger. 

The four-horse entry is completed by Alan Creighton’s Dubai Dandy, who unseated on the flat at Edgcote on Sunday, and Gardie Grissell’s Goudhurst Star, last seen when pulled up at Godstone three weeks ago.  

Hill is looking forward to Normofthenorth making his seasonal reappearance in the CBTR Conditions Race (Level 3). 

The 12-year-old finished a gallant second in this race on his only start last term, and his handler said: “He was beaten a short head by Pillar Rock of the Ellis’s and had to give him 5lb. This year he can run without a penalty. 

“He was late in because it was such a wet autumn and that is why we are only running him now. He is in brilliant form, although he may well come on for the run.” 

With the South Midlands & Sandhurst Area awards to be presented after racing, Bluescape is on course to be crowned the leading mare and is also in contention to be champion horse for owner James ‘Chub’ Castle. 

Trainer Bradley Gibbs doesn’t believe the six-year-old was at her best when third to Cash Or Card at Garthorpe last month. 

“She was not quite right when she came back, so you can put a line through that run,” said the Hertfordshire handler. “Touch wood she is back in good form now.”  

Underwood feels Stranger Danger showed he had benefitted from surgery to improve his breathing despite not being able to land a blow when second to Senior Citizen here two weeks ago. 

He said: “He came out of his wind operation quite well and has worked well. If he shows anything like his old form he will be knocking on the door.” 

Gibbs is set to let Askafrontman put his unbeaten record on the line in the 5G Restricted after the five-year-old made a winning debut for owner-breeder Castle at Siddington.  

“He won quite well,” said the Lemsford trainer. “He was a little bit sick after that run but fingers crossed we have got him back in good order.” 

Underwood believes Kedg West, who landed the maiden on this card 12 months ago and has finished runner-up on his last two starts here, is his best chance of the day. 

“He could be thereabouts,” he said. “He is well enough. He has been second twice in a restricted and was only beaten a length last time.”  

Hill is looking for Tellmesomethingood to bounce back after being pulled up in the Intermediate Final at Warwick. 

“It was probably the grade of race and the ground was just a bit too quick for him,” he commented. “He never got into a rhythm. I am hoping coming back to a restricted point-to-point he will be very much in his comfort zone.” 

The Aston Rowant trainer is set to be double-handed in the Thorn Plant Hire Maiden with ex-Willie Mullins inmate Gorvitho and Incitatus. 

Gorvitho, a French-bred seven-year-old, had five starts for the 20-time Irish National Hunt champion trainer with his best finish a third at Tipperary in November 2024. 

Hill said: “Joe (son and assistant) found the horse on an online sale. He has only ever run hurdling and has never been over fences but he has schooled very well at home. 

“Incitatus runs for the Sunday Night Partnership and was a good fourth at the last meeting.” 

Gibbs is looking for Grey Area to go one better after finishing second at Dingley three weeks ago, saying: “He ran very well last time. He is consistent and hopefully he can get his head in front now.” 

Underwood is hoping for better fortune with Minella Laochafter the seven-year-old was taken out by Phil York’s Noir Du Tay at Peper Harow last Saturday, with the pair set to renew rivalry here. 

“Yorky’s horse was making it, ran out and took mine out,” he said. “It might have done me a bit of a favour as he would not have won it anyway.” 

The meeting also features the annual running of the Berks & Bucks Draghound Race in between races three and four accompanied by meeting secretary Nick Quesnel’s enthusiastic commentary. 

Gates open at 12.30pm and admission is £20 per person on the day or £17.50 until midnight on May 23 from the Kimblewick Races website (16-year-olds and under go free). Front row parking is also available at £30 per vehicle (not including admission). 

The course is approximately two miles from Junction 6 of the M40 in the direction of Chinnor. There will be black and gold signs to the course from the M40 and in Kingston Blount village. For SatNav, use postcode OX39 4SG. It’s not recommended to leave the motorway at Junction 5, as the route down Kingston Hill is narrow and steep.