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To The Top: returns to the course where he won in March to contest the Confined

Alan Hill is having another season to remember and he could take a step closer to a new seasonal best at Saturday's Vale of Aylesbury with Garth & South Berks meeting at nearby Kingston Blount.

The Aston Rowant handler enjoyed a double at the course earlier this season and is certainly a trainer in-form, with 15 wins ‘between the flags' and one success in a Hunter Chase so far.

"The horses have been running extremely well, we've got some nice young ones here, the older horses have also been winning consistently while Bon Accord has been a real flagship for the yard," said Hill, who paid tribute to his riders James Tudor and Emily Jarvis.

"James knows the horses very well but he also knows what a good job Emily has been doing, riding out and schooling for us."

Hill saddled Bon Accord to finish runner-up in the Christie's Foxhunters at last month's Cheltenham Festival, much to his delight: "That was a very proud day for me, I was ecstatic, particularly as Bon Accord had a slight hiccup going into the race."

Hill has two entries in the Restricted - Top Bombing, who will be partnered by Emily Jarvis, and Lucent, who will be ridden by James Tudor.

Top Bombing has been running well this season and came third at Lockinge and fourth at Higham. Lucent won his maiden at Kingston Blount lat year before picking up a back injury at the end of the campaign. Hill feels the main danger in the race could be Mark Barlow's Marble Leader.

Mr Splodge, a consistent course winner at Kingston Blount, is entered in the Mixed Open, in which Tudor will probably ride. Hill feels Blue Business, a winner at Dunthrop earlier this season, and Noakarad De Verzee are the obvious dangers.

To The Top is entered in the Confined, returning to the course where he won in March and hoping to go one better than his last run at Kimble over Easter.

The first of seven races at Kingston Blount, near Chinnor on the B4009, is 2pm.

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