PREVIEW: VINE AND CRAVEN (SUNDAY 19TH APRIL)

Alan Hill is hoping last year’s winner, IK Brunel, can continue his love affair with Kingston Blount in the Lambourn Valley Trainers Mixed Open at the Vine and Craven Hunt Point-to-Point on Sunday (1pm). 

The 12-year-old has won four of his five starts at the Oxfordshire track, including this 2m 5f contest 12 months ago when he stormed home by nine lengths from Loughan. 

Hill believes a return to the venue and a drop in trip after the gelding finished second to All Loved Up at Kimble on Easter Saturday will work in his favour.  

The Aston Rowant trainer said: “It is 2m 5f and he loves that (distance) there. I thought he was very unlucky at Kimble as he made a mistake two out when he came to win the race. I think he runs 7lb better at Kingston than anywhere else because it is so close to home.” 

IK Brunel is among 16 entries with Gina Andrews reporting No Risk Des Flos is likely to miss the race with owners the Stearn Family keen instead to run The Big Lense, an easy winner for Newmarket trainer Jenny Owen at Higham on Good Friday. 

A Jet Of Our Own could drop in grade after finishing down the field in the Randox Foxhunters’ Chase at Aintree, while Janika, who unseated at the first at High Easter last Saturday, and Eyton-on-Severn winner Premier Fantasy also hold claims. 

With watering to take place if required to ensure Good ground on the day, 67 entries have been received for the six-race card. 

Owner-trainer Tim Underwood is discounting back-to-back wins for Ask Nile in the J Passey and Son Ltd Vine & Craven Hunt Members, Subscribers & Farmers Race. 

The 14-year-old finished a creditable third to Baunmore Jet at Lockinge on Easter Monday. 

But the Beedon handler said: “Ask Nile has no chance. It is a bit more competitive this year. He was still a bit short of work at Lockinge. He has got to come on tons to win that race.” 

The Dancing Tree will be a leading fancy after completing a four-timer for Hill with a smooth success at Kimble over Skandiburg, who could reoppose. 

The trainer commented: “He has been going up through the grades. How far he will go we will see. He has not shown us anything to say there is not more improvement in him.” 

Bass Rock, turned over by Farnoge in a match at Lockinge, could bid to bounce back for Harry Brown, while last year’s runner-up, Wireless Operator, is set to represent trainer Hannah Marshall and rider Ollie Chamings. 

Marshall said: “He is a bit of a monkey. He likes to do it on his day. He is still very capable, so he could go well.” 

Commander Of Ten, winner of the Restricted 12 months ago for owner-trainer-rider Katie Featherstone, could bid to follow up in the Jockey Club and Point-to-Point Authority ‘Hands and Heels’ Conditions Race (Level 1) For Novice Riders. 

The nine-year-old dead-heated with Padjoes Legacy at Parham last month and the pair may do battle again. 

Didero Vallis, now with Abigail Smith, is back to defend his title, having triumphed for trainer Olive Nicholls and rider Daniel Williams last year, while On Springs, who landed the veterans’ race 12 months ago for Luca Morgan, now carries the colours of rider Dewi Haddock. 

Hystery Bere won in good style at Kimble under Joe Neal from Westhill, who is set to reoppose for trainer Alan Hill and owner-rider Anna Mackenzie. 

Hill said: “Anna had to make all the running and the other horse was able to track her. It would be nice if it’s a bigger field and she can have a lead.” 

Hill will monitor the homework of Learntalot, Senior Citizen and Back Bar before deciding which to run in the Friends of the Vine & Craven Conditions Race (Level 2) For Nine-Years-Old And Over. 

Learntalot, runner-up in the Stratford Foxhunters Champion Hunters’ Chase last season, was beaten at odds-on into second by Calidad at Siddington last month. 

Hill said: “We got him home and had his wind checked and he has had a wind procedure. The plan is to go to Warwick (on May 1) and I would like to get a run into him.” 

Andrews reported that her Garthorpe winner Young Rich, who missed Edgcote last week, is set to run.   

“He cut his knee in the stable but is fine now,” said the trainer. “He is probably at his level and is really good for Molly (Legg) to ride.” 

Stranger Danger, runner-up to On Springs for Underwood last year, could renew rivalry with his Lockinge conqueror, Castletown, trained by Verity Green and ridden by her son, Lucas Murphy. 

Underwood said of his 11-year-old: “I have had lots of problems with him. He has had colic and a broken hind hock, but he was second there last year.” 

Hill is hopeful Our Brother John, second at Larkhill last time out despite a pre-race scare, can go one better in the Oakland Park Restricted. 

The trainer explained: “As I led him down to the paddock the roof on the beer tent flapped about and the poor horse was frightened. He ran so well and was only caught in the last 50 yards by Shareyourbiscuits, who received 9lbs.” 

Marshall believes Protect The Future, a close fifth at Milborne St Andrew last month, is also in the mix. 

She said: “Ollie (Chamings) rode him last time and he ran really well. It looks a competitive race but I would like to think he would go well.” 

Underwood is looking to Kedg West to bring his homework to the track.  

“He works so well at home,” he said. “The other day at Lockinge he was taken off his legs. He cracked his cannon bone earlier in the year and had five weeks off. That’s why he blew up.” 

Andrews feels Leopard D’Irlande will have to up his game to play a leading role in the Print Concern Maiden. 

The five-year-old has been fourth on his last two starts and the trainer said: “He didn’t jump very well last time. It didn’t cost him the race but he made too many mistakes to be competitive.” 

Hill was thankful Incitatus, pulled up on his four previous starts, ended that run by finishing third at Higham. “He finally put a number by his name instead of a letter for us,” he said. 

Race sponsor Tim Underwood isn’t optimistic of winning back his own money with Minella Laoch after the seven-year-old pulled up on his last two starts. 

“He is a bit of misfit,” he said. “At Lockinge he was running quite well and made a bit of a noise, so I will put a tongue tie on him.” 

With doubts over that trio, it may be best to concentrate on Fighting Falcon, who finished ahead of Leopard D’Irlande when third here in February, High Easter second Fear The Deere and Badbury Rings third Prince In The Park. 

Gates open at 11am and admission is £20 per person on the day or £17 in advance from the Vine & Craven website (under 16s go free). Front row parking is also available at £30 per vehicle (not including admission). 

Entertainment includes children’s activities with a bouncy castle and there will be shopping featuring new local artisan trade stands offering food, country clothing and gifts as well as a bottle raffle to win a trug full of alcohol. 

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.