04 May 2009 Report: Pendle Forest & Craven - Heslaker
by John Milburn
TEXAS RANGER: winner of the Novice Riders race
photo: Sweet Photography
The Pendle Forest and Craven held their Point-to-Point on Bank Holiday Sunday, Clerk of the course Tom Bannister provided the meeting with perfect and safe racing conditions, as well as excellent weather the day produced some very large crowds, and picnics and gazebos were very popular.
The highlight of the day was a double from local trainer and rider Jo Foster which has put her in the firing line for landing the leading Lady rider title. Her first win came in the Members race on board Copper Bay, who was left solo after the early departure of Sam Drake aboard Four Eagles.
Her second winner came in a much more competitive event aboard Well Worthy, in the Open Maiden. After being held up early on, Foster and her mount soon jumped to the lead and were thereafter never headed. Favourite Special Portrait made his challenge at the top of the hill, but after a long battle down the straight, Tom Greenall could not get his mount past the winner. Calopocus was always in rear and made good headway to take third.
The Ladies Open saw recent Flagg winner On Y Va and Jo Foster go off odds on favourite. Setting off in rear, the pair made steady head way throughout the race, however when Flashy Boy and Hannah Burton challenged the favourite three out and quickened away in the straight, On Y Va had little response. Henrys Pride plugged on to get third.
Tom Greenall also landed a double starting with My Old Piano in the Sovereign Health Yorkshire Area Restricted Championship. After being held up well in rear, he made smooth headway and quickened clear in the straight in the style of a classy horse. Its Teescomponents travelled well for a long way and got second whilst pace setter Areyacoddinmee stayed on well to get third.
Tom completed his double with Pristine Condition, a hot favourite for the Mens Open. Always travelling well, the pair cruised to the lead in the straight, but Ask Bobby threw down a strong challenge approaching the last. A better jump from the favourite allowed him to hold on by a neck. Willywonthe never really got to the front but stayed on well for third.
The Novice Riders race returned a very welcome winner as the rejuvenated Texas Ranger and Alison Pocklington were never headed. Almost a fence clear at one stage, the pair were never going to be caught and quashed suspicions over whether the gelding would stay. One Five Eight attempted to go in pursuit but could never catch the trail blazer.
The Confined race saw the Gary Hamner trained Noble Persian bounce back to form. Guy Brewer took the mount and the duo were never headed from flag fall, allowing Brewer to reel in Chris Dawson in the Area Jockeys Championship. Impact Zone was second and Keen Whip third.
