PREVIEW: KIMBLEWICK (SUNDAY 10TH MAY)

Bradley Gibbs is looking forward to getting prolific winner Fier Jaguen back on track at the Kimblewick Hunt (May) Point-to-Point at Kingston Blount, near Chinnor, on Sunday (2pm).

The trainer-rider reported the 11-year-old, who is set to tackle the Perrys of Aylesbury Jaecoo Mens Open over 2m 5f, none the worse for his crashing fall at the third-last when leading at Howick at the end of March.

Gibbs suffered four fractured ribs in the spill, and said: “He is in good order. I know he fell but he came out of the race well. We had him checked over from head to toe and gave him a little bit of time after it.

“I had two days off and then I was back riding after three days. I was a bit sore but you just have to get on with it.”

Empire De Maulde, last year’s winner and a neck second to Arthur’s Sixpence at Warwick on Friday for trainer Rob Varnham, could bid to retain his crown, while The Big Lense, who won in good style over course and distance last month for Jenny Owen’s Newmarket stable, also features among the nine entries.

Learntalot may represent Alan Hill although the Aston Rowant trainer admitted to being mystified by the 10-year-old’s run when pulled up here last month.

Speaking from his tractor on Tuesday as he watered the course with the aim of producing Good ground, he said: “After the massive disappointment last time we had him fully examined and one or two things have been done. On his very best form he would be right there, but we are in a monkey’s muddle to know where he is.”

Lavorante, winner of a restricted and an intermediate on this card in the last two years for trainer Luke Price and successful at the last meeting, is another strong contender.

The six-race card has attracted 60 entries with 10 in the College and County Ladies Open headed by Fairly Famous, who won his first three starts this term before being pulled up in the Randox Foxhunters’ Chase at Aintree.

Trainer-rider Gina Andrews reported: “He is fine. Hunter chasing is probably not for him anymore, so we will just stick to point-to-pointing. He doesn’t have very good wind and on the big occasions when they go hard he is not able to lay up and struggles to get air in.”

Hill is set to run IK Brunel, who won this race in 2023 and was second last year, rather than in the men’s open.

The 12-year-old was third to The Big Lense here in April and the trainer reasoned: “Last time we ran against him we got well and truly beaten. We do think he runs his better races with less weight, so we plan to run in the ladies.”

Empire De Maulde and Lavorante also have the option of running here, while Aramax would be a danger to all if turned out again by Owen following his Mollington match success on Monday.

Hill rates Senior Citizen his best chance in the Highwayman Inn South Midland Area Conditions Race (Level 2), which has just four entries.

The 13-year-old was last seen finishing third at High Easter, and the trainer, who has entered Soldier Unknown as a back-up, said. “Senior Citizen came out of his last race well. He won very well at Higham first time and we are a bit disappointed that he has not won another one. We just think Kingston with its twists and turns will favour him a bit more.”

Gibbs confirmed that Ask Elli was on course to run after scoring at Lower Machen last time out. “Fingers crossed she will put her best foot forward and finish in front again,” he said.

Stranger Danger is set to complete a three-strong field with owner-trainer Tim Underwood hoping the 11-year-old will show the benefit of surgery to aid his breathing. “We should see improvement in him because he has had a wind operation,” explained the Beedon handler.

Gibbs is favouring running the hat-trick-seeking Avichi In The Park from his three entries in the NFU Mutual Buckinghamshire, CE Berkshire and Middlesex Restricted Race.

The Hertfordshire handler, who also has Briskalo and I’m Like A Lion in the line-up, said: “He has shocked me how much he has stepped forward from last season. He was very impressive winning by 10 lengths last time. He could be a smart horse.”

Prince In The Park, another Walk In The Park gelding who is chasing a hat-trick after wins here and at Tabley for Luca Morgan, is an obvious danger, while Hill is hoping a drop in class will see Tellmesomethingood in a better light following his outing at Warwick.

“He ran in the Intermediate final on Friday and probably was not good enough,” said the trainer. “Our thoughts were whether it was too galloping a track for him because he never really travelled and got into the race.”

Underwood has entered Kedg West, who was second here last month, saying: “He is firing on all cylinders but he was a bit rattled when he ran on the fast ground.”

The evergreen handler is hoping Chinx Of Light can make amends for his Godstone fall last Saturday in the Charlie Knapp of Keller Williams Conditions Race (Level 3) for Novice Riders.

The 10-year-old was leading in a match when he exited at the 15th fence with Underwood reporting: “It was sheer bad luck he fell because he would have won on the bridle.”

Hill will be looking for Westhill to recapture the form of his seasonal reappearance when second under owner-rider Anna Mackenzie, saying: “He ran very well at Kimble and I just felt at the last meeting he ran a bit too enthusiastically.”

Good Source, who is also in the ladies open, is top-rated after finishing second to No Risk Des Flos at Garthorpe for trainer Ed Turner and rider Charlotte Butler, with the same combination having the option of running Atlantic Fleet.

Underwood is set to take the wraps of Irish import Modern Drift in the Richardsons Chartered Accountants Maiden, having joined his stables after finishing a close second at Kildorrey in February.

“He could be quite good,” said the trainer. “He was only just beaten when he was second, but whether that is good enough to win it I don’t know.”

Hill intends to give a UK debut to Lewis Road, who was snapped up by the trainer’s son and assistant, Joe, after finishing fourth at Dromahane. “He has schooled very nicely,” said Hill Snr, who has entered Incitatus as a stand by. “He turned up fit and I am not saying ‘wow’ but he looks alright.”

Leopard d’Irlande showed improved form for Andrews’s Marton yard when second at Garthorpe last month, with the trainer commenting: “He was too keen and didn’t jump well in his early runs but he put in a much better performance last time when Ellie Callwood gave him a really good ride.”

Guseakie is top rated for trainer Francesca Poste, while stablemate Plantaroma, fourth on his pointing debut at Tabley, has Zac Baker booked to ride.

Entertainment includes children’s activities with a bouncy castle and face painting, while there will be stalls selling hot and cold drinks, food, clothing, accessories and other household items.

Gates open at 12pm and admission is £20 per person on the day or £17.50 until May 9 from the Kimblewick Races website (16s 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.