28 April 2008 Pendle Forest & Craven - Heslaker
The Artful Fox: an out and out stayer, and the selection in the Intermediate
The Pendle Forest & Craven Point-to-Point at Heslaker on Sunday is the first of two meetings over the Bank Holiday weekend in the Yorkshire Area. With the forecast of rain during the preceding week, stamina will be needed in abundance at the testing Heslaker track. Many horses are double-entered, but the entry is healthy enough with 111 for the 7 races.
Starting at 2.00pm, with the Members race, the two top rated are last year's fortunate winner, Anaczar, who has been running consistently this year, and General Grey, who is owned by Clerk of the Course Tom Bannister, who ran such a big race in the Grimthorpe Gold Cup and can win at what are more than likely to be prohibitive odds.
The PPORA Club Members race for Novice Riders has the largest entry of 23. Toby Greenall and Dark Thunder will love the testing track and can win from Celioso. Iron Express thought will be a big danger if returning to form.
Last year's winner Duchess Account is one of 15 entered in the Ladies' Open, but may be off to stud and is not a certain runner. Narciso will be more at home at Witton Castle, so the race looks to be between the two northern challengers Mytimmie and, Kirsty Fitzgerald's, Tynedale.
The Intermediate has 12 entered and the three which stand out are Buy Onling, Lord Gee and, the Mary Sowersby trained, The Artful Fox who is an out and out stayer and can record his 3rd win of the season for Guy Brewer.
Oliver Greenall has the choice of four in the Men's Open and may opt for Von Origny. Ask Bobby disappointed in a Hunter Chase last time, and will need good ground, so the two which catch the eye are Young Claude and Flashy Boy.
The Restricted looks competitive in which George The Grey, who won in style at Thorpe in January and has not been seen since breaking a blood vessel at Charm Park, can win to give Tom Bannister a double. Whilst the Open Maiden can go to the Oliver Greenall ridden Crow Spinney, who looked a certain future winner when chasing home Chummys Double on his debut at Mordon.
Selections: Members - General Grey; PPORA Club Members - Dark Thunder; Ladies' Open - Tynedale; Intermediate - The Artful Fox; Men's Open - Flashy Boy; Restricted - George The Grey; Maiden - Crow Spinney
