ALAN Hill will look to continue his fine record at Kingston Blount as the course hosts its first meeting of 2020 today.

The Aston Rowant trainer has nine entries and six intended runners on the card, which begins at midday and features seven races.

Hill has to decide whether to run Getting Closer or Normofthenorth in the closing intermediate race, where the first four home reach the series finale at Cheltenham on May 1.

He said: “Which of them runs depends on the ground.

“If it’s on the soft side of good to soft it will be Getting Closer and, while I’d prefer to run Normofthenorth, he’d need it faster.”

Hill added: “Both horses are in great form, having won last time out, and both have options next weekend too.”

Elsewhere, the Ladies Open appears to be the highest-quality race of the day, with Cheltenham Hunter Chase winner Southfield Theatre’s battle with Barney Dwan – placed twice at the Festival – among a number of intriguing battles on offer.

Entrance is £15 per person, including a racecard, while there is no charge for under 18s or for parking.

The course is at Kingston Grove, Kingston Blount, OX39 4SG, with drivers advised to leave the M40 at junction 5.