The Pendle Forest & Craven Point-to-Point takes place at Heslaker Farm, near Skipton on Saturday 4th May. 50 entries have been received for the meeting. Once again the Pendle Forest are holding a Charity flat race over 1 mile.5 miles run in aid of The Principle Children’s Charity, which begins at 1pm. All riders participating in the two races must have raised £250 minimum in sponsorship. The Trust provides free respite breaks to disadvantaged & underprivileged local children, their families & carers from North & West Yorkshire.The main action begins at 2pm, Public admission is £10 per adult, under 16s are free. There will be a licensed bar and refreshments. The meeting is 1 mile south west of Skipton, signposted from the A59. Postcode is BD23 3AB.
 
The opening race is a Conditions race run over 2m 4f and with only five entries each one could play a part, however Matts Commission looks to have the perfect opportunity to get his season back on the road and although he was very disappointing on his return at Witton Castle he should be more than good enough to lift these rivals if benefiting from that run. Doeslessthanme was a talented recruit in his prime and is in good heart, but age is not on this 15 year old side and could be vulnerable. Nautical Twilight appears much more effective at a shorter trip so this distance could see her trouble the winner, along with Oscar O’scar who has been in great form without troubling the judge but should again give a good account of himself. Selection – Matts Commission
 
The Mixed Open is next and is run over the stamina sapping trip of 3m 5f and two contenders that have clashed in this race before are One Conemara and Garde Ville where last year Garde Ville narrowly got the better, they competed off level weights that time and One Conemara has a 4lb weight advantage this time and should be enough to reverse that neck defeat. Black Valentine has won both his completed starts this season, most recently winning a Mixed Open and the few runs he has had under rules boasted useful form and with very low mileage looks open to further progress. Sheperds Cave looks a stout stayer and takes this major step up in trip after winning last week at Easingwold for Jack Teal, whilst Snow Castle did nothing but stay at Charm Park and may have won if not for a bad mistake two out, he also holds an entry in the Heart Of All England in which he would also hold strong claims. Selection – One Conemara
 
The Open Maiden is another race ran over 2m 4f and Pete Fahey again has some potentially nice youngsters with Sir Apollo who will have benefited from his debut effort at Charm Park, Euro Fou was a £10,000 purchase last year and is brother to winners such as Romping Home, however Byland Abbey is a 4yo son a Black Sam Bellamy and is brother to useful chaser Cultram Abbey and could be the one of most interest. Balance Sheet failed to show much on the flat but has done nothing wrong since going pointing and this reduced trip may play to his strengths with a flat pedigree, whilst Peep O’day Dell has continued to progress and wasn’t beaten far at Easingwold and if continuing to improve can go close.Selection – Balance Sheet
 
The next race is a Conditions race for horses aged five years and over and on paper it looks quite a weak race, Nautical Twilight looks the best but she’s most effective over 2 or 2 and 1/2 miles and this track may stretch her over the full trip, Royal Deal has plenty of ability in his prime but he is a very difficult ride and may not be a willing partner, whilst Miss Carney ran on gamely to finish a close second at the Bedale and although possibly not as good as some of the others she is progressive and comes here in form. Selection – Nautical Twilight
 
The penultimate race is a novice and veteran riders race and Duke Arcadio comes here in form after a brace of wins this season including most recently an easy victory at Sandon, Alta Rock could have a lively chance in this company and continues to run well without going too close, whilst Numbercruncher again has good form in his prime but has a 7lb penalty and this 14yo hasn’t shown a great deal so far this season. Oscar O’scar is in good form, he stays well and has finished runner up to some decent rivals, whilst the same can be said for Tom Horn who has a very consistent profile this year.Selection – Duke Arcadio
 
The final race is the Hunt Members race, Windy Writer is a maiden but has plenty of experience and bits of form at the age of 9, previous winner Forge Valley is now 15 and has to shoulder a 5lb penalty, whilst Lauberhorn was a prolific winner in Wales but has struggled of late most recently at Easingwold where he came home last, a case can be made for them all but they all come with risks and I would maybe take a chance on the outsider Windy Writer for trainer Jonathan England.Selection – Windy Writer