The popular Oxfordshire venue of Kingston Blount hosts the second of its four meetings this Sunday, 6th April. The six races, which kick-off at 1.00pm, have attracted a total entry of 56, and the going was described on Monday afternoon – following watering – as Good all round. Watering will continue during the week, with the aim of producing Good ground on race day. Further going reports will be provided regularly during the week leading up to racing.
Aston Rowant trainer Alan Hill has a fine record at his local track, and he and son Joe have six entries in total, including I K Brunel, who is among 15 possibles – the highest entry of the day – in the feature race, the Stonegate Farming Mixed Open Race, over the shorter distance of two miles and about five furlongs. (All other races are over three miles). He said of his dual course winner, whose success here in May was pivotal to daughter-in-law Izzie’s jockeys title victory, “The intention is to run. He’s been going well without winning this season and was running a good race at Didmarton when losing momentum at a crucial stage. He likes the sun on his back.” Gina Andrews – chasing both champion trainer and champion female rider titles – has eight entries on the card, although six have potential engagements elsewhere, and could provide the main danger in her selection from the classy I’m Spellbound and consistent Loughan. Both are course winners, the latter taking this contest last year and suited by the shorter trip.
With I’m Spellbound probably going to High Easter on Saturday, Gina confirmed Loughan a likely runner, saying, “This is his main aim. He ran early at Friars Haugh, where he should have won, then carried a lot of weight at Garthorpe. He likes the course, the trip suits, and the race doesn’t look too competitive.” Hell Red would be an interesting contender if making the long journey from Cornwall. The seasonal debutant took an Upcott Cross Open in May and is another who produces his best form this time of year. Viva Lavilla was a lucky winner at Larkhill, then showed nothing last time out, while Myles Osborne’s Gateau De Miel ran well here last time but would be stepping up in grade.
The Jockey Club Opportunity Conditions Race (Level 3) for Grass Roots Riders is part of a new series for the 2024-2025 season, designed to reward the less high-profile participants in the sport, being for horses who have not won any race since September 2022 and for jockeys who have ridden 20 winners or fewer. Three have been entered and the race is co-sponsored by Print Concern, a company owned by evergreen owner-trainer Tim Underwood. Tim has entered new recruit Presenting Point for his race, and told me of the 11-year-old, “I’ve had him about ten weeks. He’s run over 40 times, won three chases and used to be incredibly consistent. He stays three miles over hurdles, so the trip won’t be a problem, and Harry Brown will ride.” The form pick is Olive Nicholls’ Didero Vallis, bidding to give rider Daniel Williams a maiden success. He’s been placed on five of six starts this season, including two Hunter Chases, and was second at Buckfastleigh last time. Lady Trifaldi has shown nothing this season after three years off the track but would be a popular winner for her well-liked owner, Nigel Lilley.
Veterans Races are another popular initiative, with the aim of providing opportunities for horses aged ten and over, and The ParaCode Veteran Horse Conditions Race (Level 2), has 11 entries (although six are entered elsewhere on the card), headed by Alan Hill’s Getting Closer. However, his trainer advised him a more likely runner at High Easter, while Count Simon, and Gina Andrews’ Benefaktor are only entered here at the weekend. Between them, they have been placed on all six starts this season, and Gina said of the ultra-consistent Benefaktor, “He’ll run providing the ground is safe. He’s had leg trouble in the past and is still very enthusiastic, even if he doesn’t have the same ability he used to.”
Bonamargy took this race last year for veteran owner-rider Ben Durrell, Ryans Fancy won the Members on this card, while the ex-Ben Pauling trained On Springs is an interesting pointing newcomer for Luca Morgan, having won five chases and – more recently – finished second in a Kempton hurdle in the autumn. The irrepressible Tim Underwood relies on the ex-Irish Stranger Danger, who unseated on his British pointing debut. “He’s alright,” confirmed Tim. “If he could reproduce half his Irish form, he’d have a good chance on paper – he should be able to handle quicker ground, as he’s won and been placed on Good. He’d missed a fortnight’s work before Penshurst, and I probably ran him too soon. Phil York rides.”
The Oakland Park Restricted Race looks an extremely competitive contest with 14 entries. No less than ten of them have won this season, six last time out. Three of these are trained by Gina Andrews (although the trainer admitted that they’re all more likely to run elsewhere) and two by Nick Wright – including the three highest-rated – so the winner may well come from one of their selected runners. Call Me Early and Mumbo Jumbo have both won twice this season for Gina, and Nick will have a good line on the latter, his Clashhill having prevented a Mumbo Jumbo hat-trick last time. Gina’s third entry, Pillar Rock, took a Garthorpe Maiden a fortnight ago, a day before Steppingstone won at Fakenham for Nick, whose Fame And Concrete won on his pointing debut at Charing before a close Guilsborough second.
Ask Elli won a Maiden at the last meeting here for the Bradley Gibbs-Ed Vaughan combination, while Joe Hill’s Monrocco Moonlight scored at the same Charing meeting as Fame And Concrete, but over the full three-mile trip. Trainer’s father Alan said, “He came to us from Ireland and ran too free on his debut at Friars Haugh, before winning nicely at Charing – the second has won since. Last time, he was leading at Penshurst when the soft ground stopped him in his tracks.” Bradley pronounced Ask Elli, “In great form. She’s come out of her last race tremendously well and is an intended runner.”
The Connolly’s RED MILLS Maiden Race has attracted 10 entries, although with only six yards represented, up to half the field are unlikely to run. Tim Underwood intends to run both his, telling me, “Song Of My Father actually won a Maiden in Ireland but was disqualified for carrying the wrong weight. He was second there in December, last ran in February and I’ve only had him five weeks. Kedg West has had a wind operation since last season. He’s been working well, and I hope he can put his best foot forward on his seasonal debut. Harry will be on him and Yorky rides Song Of My Father.” The Hills will only run one, Alan saying, “King James, another who’s come from Ireland, is also in at High Easter and we’ll look at both races before deciding. Oka Tsuki will run here if King James doesn’t.”
Gina Andrews and Bradley Gibbs also have two entries. For the former, Constitution Grove (no relation to Constitution Hill!) was second at Garthorpe before pulling up here, while Killomeroe was placed in Irish points but was moderate under rules over here. Home-bred Askdaddy has been placed twice in point-to-point bumpers for Bradley and was baulked when unseating at the first on her jumps debut while Bluescape was pulled up here on her only run to date. Wiseman Said is highly regarded but has disappointed twice this season, while Elder Statesman’s only form is a Parham third last year.
Gina confirmed Killomeroe her preferred runner and said, “We haven’t had him long and – while he’s got some Irish pointing form, he didn’t show much over here, so we thought we’d take a chance on him at a low budget. After pointing, he’ll probably go under rules in the summer for our racing club.” Bradley – like Alan – was less willing to commit, confirming only that one of his pair would run.
The afternoon’s racing opens with J Passey and Son Vine & Craven Hunt Members Race, which has three entries. Two intended runners are Caldwell Diamond and Ask Nile. Alan Hill said of the former, “He was running OK at Ffos Las when losing his rider, then ran no sort of race at Stratford. He’s had a small wind operation since, so hopefully that will help.” Tim Underwood admitted that Ask Nile having to carry a 6lb penalty, “Is a bore!” but confirmed, “He definitely goes, although Caldwell Diamond looks the one to beat. He didn’t really have a race when winning a match at Larkhill on Saturday.” The 13-year-old veteran has struck up a good partnership with Heidi Palin. Wireless Operator provided Oliver Chamings with a maiden win at Holnicote in May but has been beaten a long way so far this season.
Entrance is £13 in advance online at the Vine & Craven website and £15 per person on the day, with free admission for those aged 16 and under. Front row parking is also available at a cost of £30 per vehicle, which excludes admission. In addition to the six races, there will be various trade stands offering food, country clothing and gifts, as well as a bottle raffle to win a trug full of alcohol!
Kingston Blount is an undulating course, with a steep climb after the fifth and 13th fences and a downhill run before the sixth and 14th. It is located at Kingston Grove, Kingston Blount, OX39 4SG, approximately eight miles NW of High Wycombe and well signposted off the B4009 towards Chinnor, leaving the M40 at J6. For safety reasons, it's advised not to leave the M40 at J5 as the descent down Kingston Hill is both narrow and steep. For the same reason, please do not try to park on Kingston Hill. OX39 4SG.
For more information, visit www.kimblewickraces.co.uk and www.gopointing.com