Man From Highworth and Mel In Blue, who were last seen in action at the Cheltenham Festival, could line up at the Old Berkshire Hunt meeting at Lockinge, near Wantage, on Easter Monday.

The pair found the opposition too hot in the Christie's Foxhunter Chase won by Amicelli.

Man From Highworth, trained in the Wiltshire village of that name by Johnny Manners, came 12th, while Mel In Blue, from Robert Waley-Cohen's Edge Hill stables, near Banbury, was pulled up.

However, they boast smart form between the flags with Man From Highworth winning the Coronation Gold Cup at Larkhill on his last start, and should be more at home here in the men's open.

Mel In Blue, meanwhile, has shown plenty of ability under Rules with five wins from 16 starts, including a hunter chase at Stratford.

Also entered is Gunther McBride, winner of the 2002 Racing Post Chase when trained by Philip Hobbs.

Now with owner Mike Tuckey, who has a farm between Piddington and Brill, the 13-year-old will be ridden by Tuckey's son Ben.

Moscow Court, a winner at Dunthrop this season and second to Why Connie in a Stratford hunter chase last week, could represent Celia Plunkett, who trains at Wigginton, near Hook Norton.

Stanton Harcourt trainer-rider Claire Matheson has the choice of attempting to follow-up her win of 12 months ago on Meandmrsjones in the members' race or running the chestnut mare in the restricted.

The combination came home ten lengths clear of Boyne Banks and Tessa Good, who this year teams up with her new horse The Baillie.

First race is 1.30pm, with the gates opening from 9.30am. Admission is £20 or £25 per car, £10 single occupancy (£5 pedestrians).

Gunther McBride has an alternative engagement in tomorrow's men's open at the Vale of Aylesbury with Garth & South Berks Hunt meeting at Kimble, near Aylesbury.

He finished a three-lengths second to the Waley-Cohen-trained Irilut in the men's open 12 months ago - and the pair could renew rivalry.

Aston Rowant trainer Alan Hill has a strong hand.

Bering Gifts, a last-gasp winner at the recent Kingston Blount meeting, could line up in the ladies' open.

Veteran stablemate Mr Splodge is also entered, while To The Top, who helped to provide Hill with a double at Kingston Blount, has an entry in the confined.

And the first two home in last year's confined at Kimble, Half Inch and Monty's Island, should line up again.

The first of six races is 1pm. Racegoers should note that a new traffic system will be in operation.

  • The Oxford University Hunt Club meeting at Kingston Blount raised £3,000 in aid of the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Cancer Campaign.