BARBURY Castle trainer Laura Thomas has made five entries in the Hunt Members, Farmers and Subscribers Race as she seeks an elusive first win in the opening contest at Siddington's VWH meeting on Saturday, writes Russell Smith.

Her father, Norman, has been trying even longer to claim top honours and he owns three of the quintet – Full Throttle, Swingbridge and Urban Storm.

"It is one race he has never won," said Laura. "We have had so many seconds, so I would certainly like to win it, but I think he would like to go to a hunter chase at Ascot with Full Throttle the following week.

"It is a really hot race – as good as any open."

Laura explained that a lot of her running plans were ground dependent, with Urban Storm set to tackle the Confined Conditions Race if it was on the quicker side, while Swingbridge was her likely representative in that contest if it was good to soft.

Clerk of the course Peter Mason reported the going to be good to soft, good in places on Monday morning.

Laura owns her two other Members' entries, and she plans to ride Karinga Dancer in the Volvo Pegasus Club Members' race, for horses owned by qualified barristers and to be ridden by them, family members or novice riders, while Very Intense is lined up for the Restricted.

She is hoping for better ground than at Whitfield three weeks ago when Karinga Dancer was inconvenienced by the rain-softened surface when finishing second to Lauberhorn.

Among Karinga Dancer's rivals could be last year's first and second, Kyles Faith and Alphamor.

Very Intense, meanwhile, was runner-up to Apple's Queen at Barbury last time out.

"The horse is owned by a syndicate, which is mostly VWH people," added Laura. "That is why we have aimed him at this race. We have given him a break and it will be lovely if he can win."

Returning to the Members' race, Buscot Park trainer James Henderson has three of the 14 entries in Thanks For Coming, Oliver James and Saint Roque – although the trio have other options on the card.

Swivel, who coasted home by 30 lengths after three of his rivals exited late on in a Restricted at Larkhill last time out, could line up here or in the Confined Conditions Race.

Trainer Axelle Wall's husband, Mark, said: "He was slightly lucky the last time as three others fell around him, but you would not have said he would not have won.

"He is a horse that has taken quite a long time to come right. He had quite a lot of problems with his back and it has taken a year to get him back.

"Fingers crossed he has got some confidence now and he will improve. He is an exciting horse."

Moorland Sunset won the Members' race last year for Bibury trainer Dibby Brown and he could bid for a repeat with Nick Phillips on board.

The 10-year-old has been pulled up on both his starts this term, with his handler reporting: "We have had problem after problem with our horses this year.

"We have given him a break to freshen him up and he is in good form now, and we are hoping he can run a good race."

Brown is set to give the go-ahead to impressive Barbury maiden scorer Sarazen Bridge to tackle the Restricted Race.

"We are really excited by him," she said. "He is a nice type who jumps so well."

Thanks For Coming could bid to go one better than 12 months ago in the Mixed Open where he finished runner-up to Templebraden.

This contest could be a cracker, having attracted 26 entries including Coronation Gold Cup hero Brackloon High.

Peeping Thom, who made a winning reappearance for Shrivenham handler Craig Pilgrim when lowering the colours of Pride Of Parish at Kingston Blount three weeks ago, is another to note if stepping up in class.

Afghanistan war veteran Captain Guy Disney, who has won the Royal Artillery Gold Cup and Grand Military Gold Cup on Rathlin Rose at Sandown this season riding with a prosthetic limb eight years after losing his lower right leg, could partner Silver By Design in the Confined Conditions Race.

However, Peter Mason, who trains the nine-year-old at Ablington, has also given him entries at Maisemore Park and Kilworthy on Sunday, with the horse set to run where he is most likely to encounter softer ground.

Ninety-five entries have been received in total for Siddington, with the first of six races at 1.30pm.

Admission is £10 per person, and there will be a bar, bookmakers and plenty of trade stands.

The course is located two miles south of Cirencester, near the A419 (20m from Exit 13, M5 & Exit 15, M4) and is signposted from the village of Siddington. GL7 6BD.