JAMES Pine could swap the heady atmosphere of the Cheltenham Festival for the more tranquil surroundings of the rearranged Heythrop Hunt meeting at Dunthrop, near Chipping Norton, tomorrow.

Sent off the 200-1 rank outsider for the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase, Sue Wilson’s 11-year-old finished 14th of the 15 finishers behind Baby Run – just 40 minutes after Imperial Commander had stormed to Gold Cup glory.

James Pine would be one of the leading fancies in the men’s open for the ‘classic’ Lord Ashton of Hyde’s Cup over a marathon four miles – with the fixture having a new slot in March after being twice-postponed in January.

His rivals could include Lord Attica, who finished a distant runner-up behind Bowdens Lane 12 months ago, and We’re Confused, who was a well-beaten second to Penny Doc at Fakenham last time out.

Moscow Court, trained by Celia Plunkett at nearby Wigginton, could also line up, although he has the option of the members’ race and a rematch with Taxi Fare, his conqueror of 12 months ago.

Owned, trained and ridden by Hook Norton-based farrier Andy Martin, Taxi Fare was an amazing winner last year.

The ten-year-old came from well off the pace for a three-lengths success after Moscow Court, winner of this contest in 2006 and 2008, stopped to almost a walk on the run-in.

The ladies’ open, which is run over three miles and five furlongs, could see a clash between the last two winners with Derawar and Blue Business in the line up.

Derawar made the long trip from Pembrokeshire pay off for owner-trainer Simon and his wife Lucy, who rides the 11-year-old, 12 months ago, while Blue Business took the honours in 2008 for Worcestershire-based trainer-rider Angela Rucker.

They could face stiff competition though with Kingston Blount third Mister Bertolli, Double Honour and Upton Legend also entered.

The first of seven races is 1.30pm.