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PEAR CHARLES: could next run in his Hunt Members race
photo: Grace Beresford

The Cumberland Farmers Point-to-Point at Dalston on March 12th is the first of four consecutive Saturday fixtures in the Northern Area. It has attracted a total of 158 Entries, evenly spread across an eight race card which includes three divisions of the Open Maiden.

The 12 Entries for the opening Members race at 1.00pm are headed by One Sniff. The 12-year-old has been very lightly campaigned in recent seasons but must go close if reproducing the form which saw him beaten only one and a half lengths by the useful Aikman in the 2010 contest.

Last year's winning jockey, Tristan Davidson, has a choice of rides on Instant Shot and Pear Charles. The former Richard Ford and Jim Goldie-trained chaser Instant Shot opened his account in a strongly-run Restricted at Crossford, while the ex-Irish Pointer, Pear Charles, scored in testing conditions over a shorter trip at Alnwick.

Philasonic finished three parts of a length behind Instant Shot at Crossford and has the scope to go one better in the Restricted race. Others to consider include Catherine Walton's mount, Saddle Pack, recent Percy Maiden winner Royal Curtsy and Claire Metcalfe's May 2010 Hexham scorer, Tigerific.

Keeverfield cannot be opposed if turning out for the Ladies Open Race, however Sam Drake indicated at Corbridge that Sunday's Holderness equivalent is her charge's intended target. In his absence, the business end of proceedings may chiefly concern 2010 winner, Tynedale, Moment Of Madness and Sea Scout.

The Mens Open race for the coveted John Peel Trophy has a quality list of 24 Entries. Last year's impressive winner Briscoe Place needed the run at Crossford four weeks ago and that will have sharpened him up. Opio is still a class act on his day and a near two year absence from the track should not deter punters as he always goes well fresh. Multiple winning Pointer Indian Print is another for the short list, along with Lord Who and Tommy Morrison's progressive mare, Northern Revoque.

The former Howard Johnson-trained hurdler Wave Power was upsides Olmetta at the head of affairs when falling two out at Alnwick last time and can make amends with a clear round in the NPPA Club Members race. The other 16 Entries include a trio of Scottish raiders, Bow School, Noir Et Vert and One More Look.

Hawthorne Bay has been placed in five of his nine career starts to date and deserves to get off the mark in the first division of the Open Maiden race. He shaped well when fourth behind Skipping Chapel on his reappearance at Crossford and that should have put him spot on. The locally trained Sierra Peak is steadily improving and poses the main threat, while the Yorkshire raider, Oojar also merits respect.

The second division of the Open Maiden race is a potential minefield for punters and it may pay to take a chance with Maxine Stirk's lightly raced mare, Give Me Time. Of the others, Reef Dancer showed promise in a different yard last season, while Blaney Bouncer and Paint Me Silver also come into the equation.

The third division should be a penalty kick for Hurlstone Tower. He wasn's beaten far when finishing third to The Snurglar and Special Portrait on his seasonal debut at Dalston last year and faces nothing of that class here. Perambulation might reward each way support, while the front-running Bucklemyshoe also has place prospects.

The course is located four miles SW of Carlisle on the B5299 and offers good viewing from the hillside car park. The post code for satellite navigation users is CA5 7JA.

To hear all updates supplied throughout the week and on the morning of the meeting, call the Talking Point news line on 09068 44 60 61*.

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