TITLE celebrations are in store as the curtain comes down on the South Midlands Area season with the Berks & Bucks Draghounds meeting at Kingston Blount, near Chinnor, on Sunday.
Tom Ellis is set to be crowned the area's leading trainer, and he'll be looking to seal his success with Misstree Song - his only likely runner on the card - in the Intermediate, sponsored by Mettal Ltd.
The eight-year-old mare is chasing a four-timer after wins at Barbury Racecourse, Lockinge and Cothelstone.
Ellis said: "She has won three on the trot now, so we are chuffed to bits with her. This looks to be her most competitive task to date. It will help tell us where we go with her next year."
The daughter of Librettist should find conditions to her liking with Aston Rowant trainer Alan Hill, who plays a leading role in the course preparation, reporting that the aim was to produce ground similar to the last meeting when it was Good, Good to Firm in places.
Hill provides one of Misstree Song's main rivals in Voie Dans Voie, who was pipped here by Jenny Hayward's Master Templar - the area's leading horse - three weeks ago.
Hill commented: "We thought with him being a big, strong horse he wanted soft ground, but I think the other day with the ground being better, it is better for him."
Captain Mc, winner of three of his last five starts, could represent Luke Price as he chases the Tattersalls Leading Owner Championship, with James King on board as he continues his quest to retain his national men's riders' title.
The card has attracted 66 entries with 16 in the Mixed Open, sponsored by the Friends & Family of Dickie Lim, where Captain Buck's and Hawkhurst, first and second at Mollington earlier this month, could renew rivalry.
Jenny Gordon's 10-year-old had a length and a quarter to spare over the Hill-trained Hawkhurst, who has a 2lb pull at the weights, and is the mount of the area's leading lady rider, Izzie Marshall.
Hill said: "I cannot in my heart of hearts see him winning because I think it is a competitive open but, if he finishes in the first three, the first and second will know they have had a race."
Captain Buck's has run twice since their Mollington meeting, winning at Chaddesley Corbett before being upset at long odds-on by Francesco du Clos in a match at Edgcote.
He is one of three entries from Gordon's Winchester stables as her son, Freddie, chases the Highflyer Bloodstock Novice Men's Championship - along with last Sunday's Garthorpe second, Commanche Red, and Highway One O One.
Ben Case's Kilbrew Boy finished ahead of Highway One O One when second at Edgcote, and holds claims along with James Henderson's Epi Sacre, who was just behind Commanche Red last time.
Henderson tops the South Midlands standings for trainers with five horses or fewer, while his son, Fred, is the leading men's rider.
The Buscot Park handler reported that his eight-year-old was set to make a swift reappearance. "Hopefully he will run well," he said. "He seems okay."
Richard Pringuer has an eye on the South Midlands leading mare award for Aunty Joan, who is set to run in the Owner-Trainer Conditions Race (Level 3), sponsored by Omnia, which opens the meeting at 2.30pm.
The 12-year-old, winner of her last two starts at Dingley and Edgcote, is among five mares tied in joint top, but is the only one to hold an entry on the card, so a top-three finish will secure the title.
Pringuer said: "It would be nice to win it if we can. Obviously, she has to get in the top three. Now I am working full-time as an architectural technician I just go and canter her round the farmers' fields. It is a bit more laidback, and she enjoys it."
Nick Wright's Forever Field, beaten a head by Always On The Run at Higham, and Tangoed, second to Gabrial The Great here last year for Robert Varnham, look the main dangers.
Henderson is set to rely on Fixe Le Kap rather than Frisson Collonges, reporting the 10-year-old to be in good order after finishing fourth at Edgcote.
Course specialist Gabrial The Great bids to repeat last year's win in the PPORA Club Members Conditions Race (Level 2) For Novice Riders over 2m 5f, sponsored by Transaction International.
The 13-year-old has form figures of 12131 at the track, and owner-trainer-rider Thomas Murray believes his veteran's experience of running on the level helps with Kingston Blount's twists and turns.
Speaking after the gelding's win three weeks ago, he said: "It's a sharp track with a lot of turns. Going through his Flat form he ran at Chester, so it helps coming round here."
Hill plans to run Craigmor, who chased home prolific winner Kaproyale under owner-rider James Hayward in a match here three weeks ago.
Scooby, second on five of his last six starts for Robert Varnham, and Sarah Ashby's Peper Harow runner-up, Whatsinthecorner, come into the reckoning along with Sarah Fleming's Hexham second, Fivecardstud.
Hill believes his best chance is course winner Craven Bay in the Restricted, sponsored by Pangbourne Asphalt.
Owner Graham Henderson is hoping to be present after missing seeing the six-year-old score here three weeks ago due to a replacement knee operation.
The trainer said of his charge: "He is a bit of a monkey. He has a lot of talent and is a typical Fame And Glory. He showed that when he won his maiden. I think going up to three miles will be a tremendous help. Of all the ones I have to run I feel he has the biggest chance."
Hill is also set to run Bucaneros, but stablemate Mythical Prince is unlikely to line up.
The eight-strong entry includes Whotheman, who was bought out of Bradley Gibbs's stables by Chris Barber at the Goffs UK Spring Horses In Training/Point-To-Point Sale for £5,000 last week. Sarah Braclik's Peper Harow runner-up, Whiskey For Jack, is another to consider.
Hill is hoping Niftyfifty will bounce back to form in the closing Maiden, sponsored by Thorne Plant Hire, following treatment from a back specialist organised by his wife, Lawney.
The eight-year-old was a promising third at Guilsborough, before being pulled up at Fakenham.
Hill said: "We found out afterwards that he was not quite right in his back. Lawney got someone in, and they have done a lot of work on him. We have schooled and worked him since, and he has been fine."
Gibbs is optimistic Local Drama - an unraced Kayf Tara four-year-old - can reproduce his good homework.
The Hatfield handler said: "He is a nice little horse. He is doing everything well at home, so hopefully he can convert that to the track."
Monmouth Hill, second on his last three starts for Hannah Clarke, and Tim Underwood's Peper Harow runner-up, Carry On Buddy, will have their followers together with Aracaras, who was second at Llwyn Ddu for the Price-King combination.
The meeting also features the Berks & Bucks Draghound Race, sponsored by Tyre Team, between races three and four.
Admission is £15 per person (free for under 17s), with payment by either cash or card. The course is approximately two miles from Junction 6 of the M40 in the direction of Chinnor. There will be black and gold signs 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.
