Pendle Forest & Craven
Heslaker
Sunday 2nd May 2010
by Will Milburn
The Pendle Forest and Craven will be holding their meeting this bank holiday weekend at Heslaker near Skipton, 114entries have been received and if the standard of recent weekends racing continues then there should yet again be some fantastic racing.
The first race is the Members race and looks more competitive than past years. Jo Foster always has a strong hand in this race and this season looks no different, Allummee was a decent horse under rules, however his stamina has been stretched to the limit in points and may struggle here, Gunner Snow is still a maiden but is slowly progressing, whilst Wherethat won a restricted at the testing Flagg Moor track and should be best chance here. Knightsbridge King could have a say on his best form, along with General Grey who will have benefited for his recent return to action, however Queen Of Diamonds looks to enjoy a stiff task and won a decent race at Flagg Moor so should set the standard here.
Selection - Queen Of Diamonds
The Novice Riders race is an open event, with a handful of entrants holding chances. Blanding’s Castle could run well, but he may find this track to demanding, No Complaint looked to have his race won at Flagg Moor until unseating at the last and should go close again, whilst O’gara looks a strong stayer so wouldn’t be without a chance. Beauchamp Oracle is the ripe old age of 13 but still seems to be running as well as ever, including a fast finishing second over an extended trip at the Cleveland meeting. Flashy Boy is not the force he once was however still retains plenty of ability and should be in the shake up here. The Poor Man was an impressive winner of his maiden, but is taking another step up in grade so would need to improve again to have a say here, whilst National Petition should go close, especially on his recent form with Flashy Boy who was behind him in third. Pen Gwen won a competitive race at Sinnington so stamina should be no problem and proved his ability with two seconds in Hunter Chase company recently.
Selection – Pen Gwen
The Ladies Open is always a competitive race and usually attracts horses from outside the area, here is no different. Ballyshan was a useful horse when with Nigel Twiston Davies, but has yet to translate that to point to points, Baltasna won its Restricted recently so would need to improve again, whilst Optimistic Harry stayed on very strongly to beat subsequent winner Dix Villez in a Sedgefield Hunter Chase, however was possibly a shade lucky that day. Narcisco will no doubt take the beating as he looks to be at his peak now, but the veteran Wilfie Wild and the talented stayer Tynedale will not make it easy for him, both horses are in top form of late and will make a bold bid here. However Gold Cup winning mare Poppy Day has progressed rapidly this season and also holds an engagement in the Heart Of All England, but if taking her chance here, will be very difficult to beat on a track that is tailor made for her.
Selection – Poppy Day
The Restricted Championship is an interesting race as it attracts horses at different levels of progression throughout the season. Lem Putt was an impressive winner of his restricted and a repeat of that will see him go close. Adieu Mari won his intermediate well and looks as though he will go well here, along with Mr Gossip who only just managed to get up on the line at Whitwell so this stiff task should suit him. The Poor Man can improve but will need to find a lot more, Fli My Son has been unlucky this season, finishing runner up on a number of occasions and may find one too good again, however Blazing Bull is an improving stayer as he proved when winning easily over 3m 5f at Mordon recently so should win.
Selection – Blazing Bull
The Mens Open looks set to go the way of one of the Greenall boys as they hold a strong hand with Amicelli, Laertes, Pristine Condition and Sonevafushi who are all very talented horses. Snizort bounced back to his very best at Whttington so could go well if repeating that, whilst Ask Bobby who is a useful horse himself on his day could cause an upset, however Sweden beat Pristine Condition comfortably at Flagg Moor and looks on the upgrade, so should be respected here.
Selection – Sweden
The Confined looks a very competitive race, but the one who stands out is the Frank trained Fox Point, who almost caused an upset when getting within a head of My Old Piano at the Bedale meeting so should be hard to beat, providing there is plenty of give in the ground. Geeveem was fifth in the Welsh National when in his prime, so is another interesting contender, Optimistic Harry will go well, along with One Five Eight who has previously won round this course. Tsars Twist was a consistent Ladies horse in previous years and could have a say, as well as Wantage Road who is going well at the moment for Rebecca Mason. Noble Persian looks the best horse in the race and could be hard to beat if at his best.
Selection – Fox Point
The Open Maiden has only attracted 21 entries, but there is still plenty to get excited about. The Walford team know a good horse and are represented here by Brochure; who was an improved second at Whitwell after travelling very well, Right Enough was second to the useful looking Rapidolyte De Ladalka, whilst What A Cliché was an eye catching third at Whittington recently so all should be respected. In A Good way has the ability to win but does not always produce it, Flaming Clint made a respectable debut at Alnwick, He’s Supreme is related to two useful point to point winners and should be watched on his debut for the capable Chris Dawson yard, whilst Ramborob was well fancied when disappointing last time at Mordon so may be worth a second look here.
Selection – Right Enough
