BIBURY trainer Dibby Brown could run Cheltenham Festival hopeful Cousin Pete at the rearranged Vine & Craven point-to-point meeting at Barbury Racecourse, near Marlborough, on Saturday, writes RUSSELL SMITH.

The lightly-raced 10-year-old gelding was set to bypass the fixture two weeks ago when it fell victim to bad weather, having finished a half-length second to subsequent winner Sir Jack Yeats in a hunters' chase at Market Rasen five days earlier.

However, the son of Kayf Tara may now take up his engagement in the Timico Mixed Open with Brown feeling he needs more match practice ahead of a possible crack at next month's St James's Place Foxhunter Chase.

"He jumped very green at Market Rasen," she said. "I feel he is not learning anything stood in his stable, so we are thinking of maybe running again.

"When he won at Larkhill he jumped super, but at Market Rasen he didn't seem to get into a rhythm - whether it was the track being sharper or the fences being bigger.

"Cheltenham is not an easy course. It's undulating and tough, and against those horses you can't make mistakes."

Cousin Pete, who also holds entries at Garthorpe and Badbury Rings on Sunday, could face Templebraden, runner-up to Ni Sine Mo Ainm in this contest last year, with Cradley trainer John Bryan's 11-year-old showing his liking for the course again when second to Lotus Island last month.

Golden Doyen, formerly a smart handicap hurdler for Philip Hobbs and now with Janet Ackner at Exford, near Minehead, stayed on nicely when third to Saddlers Encore here last time out.

The Caller ran a cracker when beaten half-a-length by Barel Of Laughs at Bangor-on-Dee on Sunday, and could make a swift reappearance for Mary Vestey's Upper Slaughter stables, near Bourton-on-the-Water.

Other possible contenders are Aston Rowant trainer Alan Hill's Pride Of Parish, who was going well when falling at Fakenham last Friday, and his Kingston Blount conqueror, Peeping Thom, from Craig Pilgrim's Shrivenham stables.

With five possible runners, owner-trainer Tim Underwood will be hoping the wait for the fixture proves worthwhile as he bids to get off the mark for the campaign.

Underwood, who sent out 18 winners from his Beedon base, near Newbury, last season to be crowned national leading owner, has yet to get on the scoresheet this term, having had just four runners.

Tempelpirate went close to opening his account when beaten a head by Kashmir Peak in a dramatic finish at Cocklebarrow last month, before unseating Sam Burton at Larkhill.

The 11-year-old gelding could bid to repeat last year's success in the Jamie Snowden Racing PPORA Club Members Conditions Race for Novice Riders, which opens the card at 11.30am.

Kashmir Peak, who has since been a well-beaten fifth behind William Money at Chaddesley Corbett, may renew rivalry.

Underwood is expecting a big run from Cheltenham Mati, who makes her reappearance in the CA Club Members' Conditions Mares' Race.

The six-year-old won four of her 11 starts last term, and the trainer said: "She in theory should bolt up. She has improved a lot from last year and really muscled up."

Follow The Paint, a 15-lengths second to Sobre Tresor at Wadebridge last month for Laura Horsfall's Highfields stables, near Towcester, rates the main danger.

Underwood has five entries in the Sporting Agenda Hunt Members' Race, with Golden Crisp his likely representative.

"She finished the season by winning a ladies' race at Trecoed," he said. "She has a bit of ability and should be there or thereabouts."

Peeping Thom is also entered here, while Ericht, owned by Nicky Henderson and ridden by his daughter, Camilla, could also line up.

The 12-year-old, trained by Georgie Nicholls at Kingston Lisle, near Wantage, was third to Karinga Dancer at Higham last time out.

Underwood admits he's not quite yet worked out Cnoc Sion, his entry in the Jockey Club Estates Open Maiden.

As a youngster at Bennettsbridge, the eight-year-old split the smart Clondaw Cian and The Dutchman, winner of last month's Peter Marsh Handicap Chase at Haydock.

The son of Gold Well finished third twice in Underwood's colours last season, including in this contest, before being pulled up after being hampered on his reappearance at Barbury last month.

"He is a real mystery," said the trainer. "He didn't really get the rub of the green the last time when he was badly baulked.

"He also made a bit of a noise and I had him scoped, and he had a little nodule on his larynx, so I am going to try him with a tongue tie. If it helps he will be knocking on the door."

Skyhill Allstar, who chased home Bally River Boy in the first division of the open maiden at the last meeting here when trained by Shark Hanlon, has since joined Simon Edwards, and could bid to go one better.

Underwood is hoping cheekpieces will bring an improved showing from Thirdtimeben in the 2m 4f Ramsbury Vodka Open Maiden for Four, Five & Six-Year-Olds.

The daughter of Beneficial finished sixth to Definitelyanoscar in a mares' maiden over this course and distance on her debut three weeks ago.

The one to beat here may be Dissertation, from Andrew Quick's St George's-Super-Ely stables, near Cardiff, with the six-year-old mare having finished a close third to Irish raider Bailarico at the last Barbury meeting.

Bally River Boy provided Winchcombe trainer Jake Slatter with his first winner when scoring at that fixture, and he may bid to follow up in the Fullers Brewery Restricted Race.

Jockey Charlie Dando, who suffered life-threatening injuries in a shooting accident a year ago, could continue his comeback on Kit Barry, owned and trained at Little Sodbury by his father, David.

The seven races have attracted 97 entries, with clerk of the course John White describing the going on Monday as good to soft.

"Despite the rain we have had it is lovely ground," he said.

The main entrance to Barbury Racecourse is off the Marlborough to Broad Hinton road. SN8 1RS.

Admission is £10 per person, while children under 16 go free. There is a shopping village, bar and several food and drink outlets.