HARBOUR Court is set to be the star attraction as the curtain comes down on the South Midlands Area season at Kingston Blount, near Chinnor, on Sunday (2.30).

The nine-year-old, who helped Aston Rowant trainer Alan Hill land a big double at Cheltenham’s hunter chase evening last month, tackles the men’s open at the Berks & Bucks and Staff College & RMAS Draghounds meeting.

“He definitely runs,” confirmed the champion trainer.

“Everything’s been positive since Cheltenham – he’s buzzing.

“He’s working better than at any time this year.”

With James Tudor the regular rider of Harbour Court, Hill’s son, Joe, is set to be on board Kings Legacy as he continues his battle with Fred Henderson to be the South Midlands’ leading men’s rider.

Hill has a two-point lead over Henderson, who is due to ride Otto The Great, who he won on for his father James’s Buscot Park stables at Kingston Blount two weeks ago.

Henderson snr said: “He seems well and we were half-thinking of running him in a hunter chase, but we’re going to take him to Kingston Blount for Freddie to ride.”

Fakenham hunter chase winner Master Workman is also entered along with Port Golan, from Henrietta Knight’s Lockinge yard, near Wantage, although he is only likely to run if the going is good or softer.

Start Royal, from Hill’s yard, is a regular at Kingston Blount, but he will have to overcome a disappointing run in desperate ground at Fontwell last week.

“He’s alright after that,” said Hill. “Soft ground with 12 stone was a disaster – he didn’t like the conditions or the weight.

“Now he’s back on faster ground on a course where he’s unbeaten.”

Start Royal could face west country raider John Daniell, who was fourth to Impact Area at Fontwell, plus course winners Volcan Surprise and Lake Legend.

Hill, who notched a double at Whitfield last Sunday with Man Of Steel and Minella Theatre, has again secured the prize of South Midlands champion trainer and will be looking to add to his tally with either Broken Eagle or Brian’s Well in the intermediate race.

Surrey-based Phil York looks assured a winner as he trains all six entries in the members’ race, with Gamato looking the pick.

The main action is preceded by two pony races, starting at 1.30.