'We fancy him to register the four-timer' - Stuart Coltherd in confident mood

Sunday: 3.36 Carlisle
Go North Monet's Garden Series Final Handicap Chase | 2m4f | 5yo+ | RTV

Plenty of in-form horses line up for the final of this chase series and Road Warrior comes into that category after finishing in the places on his last five outings.

He has been steadily progressive, too. His last two runs are two of his three best on RPRs and he equalled his top figure when a half-length second in a qualifier for this race last time.

That came at Doncaster and it was the first time Road Warrior had run to his best form away from Sedgefield. All the eight-year-old’s other six highest RPRs came at that sharp track.

Sedgefield is also undulating, though, and that gives hope that Road Warrior will handle Carlisle.

Ard Chros definitely handles Carlisle. He has won three times at the track, twice over course and distance, and you can throw another couple of places in for good measure. His last win here came just 17 days ago and a 4lb rise still puts him 1lb behind his highest winning rating.

Well Above Par and Scottish Accent are two other course-and-distance winners in the race and both caught a tartar when behind the subsequent winner Dawn Raider here last month.

Well Above Par set a strong gallop that day and was vulnerable on the run-in, losing two places to finish fourth, while Scottish Accent kept on strongly to take the runner-up spot.

The pair are closely matched but Scottish Accent might just prove the better of the duo.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

Par for the course again?

Well Above Par attempts successive victories in the £35,000 final, although he will find ground conditions different from those he had when beating the reopposing Ard Chros a year ago.

The ground was officially soft that day and Lucinda Russell's stalwart has since landed another course-and-distance win in November and has done all his racing at the Cumbrian track this season.

The trainer said: "Well Above Par won the race last season but that was when the ground was almost heavy, so this will be a bit of a different test on quick ground. This has been his target, so we’re giving it another go."

What They Say

Rebecca Menzies, trainer of Road Warrior and Scottish Accent
We look to have two good chances. Road Warrior has been very consistent of late, but it’s a long time since he’s run at Carlisle, although we expect the track to suit him as will the stiff two-and-a half-mile trip. We’re claiming off him and I expect him to be thereabouts again. Scottish Accent is a previous course-and-distance winner who will handle the ground and goes there off a nice racing weight.

Stuart Coltherd, trainer of Ard Chros
We thought the fast ground would be against him last time but he still ran a blinder and we fancy him to register the four-timer. Hopefully, they’ll put plenty of water on as we still think he’s better with some cut in the ground. Obviously, he’s creeping up the handicap but he’s in great shape at home.

Iain Jardine, trainer of Exit To Where
We’ve no concerns about the ground as he’s a spring horse and goes there fresh after a break. He’s been in good form at home and he goes there with a decent shout in a competitive race.

Sandy Forster, trainer of Ashjan
He won a qualifier for the series and there isn’t anything else for him to run in, so we’re giving this a go, although he could have done with some ease in the ground. Hopefully, the ground will be safe enough and, although he’s never run at Carlisle, we expect it to suit him. He goes there with a live chance of completing the hat-trick.
Reporting by David Milnes

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