An ability to act on top of the ground again looks certain to be crucial in the popular Old Berks Hunt meeting at Lockinge, near Wantage, on Easter Monday.

Following the dry spell, conditions are bound to suit horses who like to hear their hooves rattle.

Crank Hill, who could go in the mixed open, falls into that category, having won by 15 lengths on good to firm ground at Larkhill last time out.

Or Bleu, a winner at Brafield for Heather Kemp, Craig Pilgrim’s Artic Fire and Rowdy Yeats, from Karrie Fanshaw’s Lambourn yard, are others who could figure here if they face the starter.

However, this trio have an alternative engagement in the confined, a race won last year by Most Definitely for his veteran owner-trainer-jockey Tim Underwood, who could bid for a repeat success.

Even Homer Nods, who was involved in a controversial finish to the restricted last year when he unseated Dan Collins after jumping a marker while attempting to nip up the inside of Just Standeese on the run-in, is also entered here.

Both horse and rider were unhurt, but earlier Which Pocket had to be put down after he broke a leg when colliding with a course marker aimed at guiding the runners around the fence on the run-in.

Those incidents have prompted organisers to make changes with a white tape set to be used from the final bend to steer horses by the fence while the markers are to be replaced by plastic ones.

Owston Ferry, trained by Neil Thomas at Denchworth, near Wantage, is another of last year’s winners who could be back with a second successive triumph in the members’ race firmly in his sights.

The first race is 1.30pm.