VICTORIA Pendleton is raring to go on Vesperal Dream in her bid for an elusive first success between the flags at the Kimblewick Hunt meeting at Kimble tomorrow.

The dual Olympic cycling champion, who lives at Moreton, near Thame, partnered her eight-yearold gelding, trained by Alan Hill at Aston Rowant, with mixed results on his first three starts this term.

Her mount ran out at Larkhill on his seasonal debut, before finishing a creditable second to Lough Inch at Cottenham and then unseated Pendleton back at Larkhill in January when she suffered an ankle injury.

With the 36-year-old rider sidelined, Vesperal Dream won at Cottenham under Izzie Marshall before finishing runner-up to Vedettariat at Kingston Blount.

Having been on a surfing holiday in Costa Rica and now clear of her commitments with ITV Racing this weekend, Pendleton is ready to resume the partnership in the Richardsons Kimble Club Members Race for Novice Riders.

Hill said: “She had a small injury to her ankle and it’s just been niggling away and then she had her other commitments, but she is raring to go at Kimble.”

Potential rivals include top-rated Penshurt scorer Conkies Lad and Karinga Dancer, a three-time winner for Barbury Castle trainer-rider Laura Thomas this term.

Hll has landed the AD Pharma Consulting Ltd Men’s Open for the last two years with Consigliere, but the veteran is entered only as a back-up for Aintree faller Broken Eagle.

The trainer reported the nineyear-old none the worse for his spill at Bechers in the Randox Health Foxhunters’ Chase, with the only damage being his son, Joe, having a broken saddle.

Hill has half of the 12 entries in the closing Cub Cadet Kimblewick Hunt Members, Subscribers & Farmers Race, with Brians Well, who was triumphant two years ago for owner Rodney Mann, his most likely runner, while Harris Garden is another possible.

The seven races, which get under way at 1pm, have attracted 105 entries, with the going described as good to firm.

Admission is £25 per car (single occupancy £10), with pedestrians £5.

The course is situated in the village of Great Kimble and the postcode is HP17 8TB.

A one-way system will be in operation, so racegoers should follow the signs to Kimble Races.

THOUSANDS of racegoers will be flocking to the traditional Easter Monday point-to-point meeting at Lockinge.

The Cazenove Capital point-topoint and country day is one of the most popular events on the Oxfordshire sporting calendar.

Last year’s meeting was particularly memorable for former jockey Luke Harvey, who lives in Fawler, near Kingston Lisle as he trained Porlock Bay to victory on his 50th birthday.

However, the horse will be unable to repeat the feat, as he is absent through injury.

Meanwhile, three-time Gold Cup-winning trainer Henrietta Knight holds a leading chance in the OKA Hunt Members race with Ballypatrick.

Gates open at 10am, there is pony racing from 12.30, while the first point-to-point race is at 2pm.

Admission is £25 per car (single occupancy £10) and pedestrians are £5 per person.

The course is located two miles south-east of Wantage and the postcode is OX12 8PA.

The event is an important fundraiser for the Old Berks Hunt, which dates back to 1830.