Pendle Forest & Craven
Heslaker
Sunday 2nd May 2010
by Charlotte Brader
The Pendle Forest & Craven Hunt hold their point-to-point in the picturesque setting of Heslaker on Sunday 2nd May. The first race is at 2.00 pm and there are seven races.
The racing starts with the hunt members race and the second race on the card is the Point-to-Point Owners and Riders Association Club Members Conditions race for Novice riders. There are 22 entries and most of them have been running very well this season. Beauchamp Oracle put in a great effort in the extended confined race at Cleveland two weeks ago and should be suited by this staying course, as will Smart Thinker who should add to the points of the Yorkshire leading novice rider thus far, Charlotte Cundall. Pen Gwen was a very good winner at Sinnington early in the season and has run well in hunter chases since and could take the beating.
17 horses have been entered for the Ladies Open race and this is likely to go the way of Poppy Day if she doesn’t run in the Heart of All England Hunterchase at Hexham the night before. Another horse that goes well here is Wilfie Wild, who at the age of 14 is in cracking form and won his last race at the Cleveland.
The fourth race on the card is the Yorkshire Area Point-to-Point Club Restricted Race Championship. Sponsored by Sovereign Healthcare, the first six home in a Yorkshire area restricted race throughout the season qualify for this race and it could be a close battle between Blazing Bull who won at the Cleveland meeting and Adieu Mari who won at Middleton.
Although there are only 13 in the Mens Open it looks like a very competitive race with runners that are all suited by a longer trip and Pristine Condition could be the one to beat.
The course at Heslaker is on the side of a hill and runners do three circuits, climbing the hill each time. There are also a number of cross country fences around the course. The countryside is very beautiful and it is well worth the drive as it is situated right on the edge of the Yorkshire area. Admission is £20 per car and £5 for pedestrians. The postcode for satellite navigation is BD23 3AB.
