Fierce Warrior ready to do battle at Carlisle

Nicky Henderson will send a rare runner to Carlisle on Sunday in a bid to land the 4800m Mark Nield Wealth Management Go North Red Rum Series Final Handicap Chase.

The Seven Barrows trainer has only sent four previous horses to the Cumbrian track during his illustrious career, earning a 50 per cent strike-rate in the process, with Fierce Warrior proving to be his fifth entry on Sunday.

The seven-year-old has the plum booking of Nico de Boinville as a show of intent from Henderson in what will be a rematch with Fiona Needham's Red Delta.

Fierce Warrior won by 0.75-lengths ahead of his rival at Doncaster in November despite being 1lb heavier.

Both have gone up in the ratings, even though Henderson's charge pulled up when last seen at Town Moor in December, but Fierce Warrior is 3lb well in on Red Delta this time around so should be the one to beat.

Trac seems to be relishing his return to 4000m as he looks to complete a hat-trick of victories in the Racing Post+ Subscription Go North Monet's Garden Series Final Handicap Chase.

The nine-year-old, trained by Micky Hammond, had a slow start to the campaign, but has been unbeaten since stepping back up in trip.

He beat Walk On Quest by 3 lengths at Newcastle in December before heading Wolfburg - both of whom line up here - over this course and distance last month.

Trac's highest winning mark came off 1lb less under jockey Conor O'Farrell, but he is carrying momentum.

Great Pepper will look to build on his last performance and break his maiden in the Mark Nield Wealth Management Go North One Man Series Final Handicap Chase.

James Moffatt's charge has yet to win in five chase starts, but produced arguably his best display over an extended 3200m at Ayr in January.

The eight-year-old was headed as he jumped the last to finish second behind Tommy Combats by 3.25-lengths, which helped him qualify for this race.

That run was Great Pepper's lowest mark since switching to chasing and he is only 1lb higher this time around, so another strong showing should be on the cards.

Egbert will drop down in class in a bid to continue his winning start for Christian Williams in the Guildhall Shopping Exeter 50th Anniversary Handicap Chase.

The nine-year-old moved from Alan King to Williams' Ogmore Farm last year before tasting victory in the Betfred Last Fling Handicap Chase at Haydock in December.

He steps up in trip for the Exeter contest, which looks to be beneficial as is the booking of Harry Cobden.

Nicky Martin's Got A Dream targets a treble in the Guildhall Exeter Style, Flavour, Fun Handicap Hurdle.

James Bowen is back aboard after riding him to victory at Chepstow and Warwick in October and November respectively.

A 138-day break should not be an issue for the seven-year-old, having previously won twice following lengthier absences from the track. - Press Association

SELECTIONS

CARLISLE: Race 1 - 15.45 Rocking Man, Race 2 - 16.15 Camarrate, Race 3 - 16.45 Disco Annie, Race 4 - 17.17 Great Pepper, Race 5 - 17.52 FIERCE WARRIOR (NAP), Race 6 - 18.27 Trac, Race 7 - 19.02 Red Acres Max.

EXETER: Race 1 - 16.32 Kildinan Prince, Race 2 - 17.02 Egbert, Race 3 - 17.37 Only Gossip, Race 4 - 18.12 Mwabani, Race 5 - 18.47 Got A Dream, Race 6 - 19.22 Just Call Me Buzz.

LIMERICK: Race 1 - 15.53 Baby Kate, Race 2 - 16.23 Marelly, Race 3 - 16.53 Doctor Elvis, Race 4 - 17.27 Miss Pronunciation, Race 5 - 18.02 You Oughta Know, Race 6 - 18.37 Favori Logique, Race 7 - 19.12 Apache Peak.

NAAS: Race 1 - 15.35 Reposado, Race 2 - 16.10 Bay Of Supremacy, Race 3 - 16.40 Accredited, Race 4 - 17.12 Collecting Coin, Race 5 - 17.47 Causeway, Race 6 - 18.22 Tiberius Thunder, Race 7 - 18.57 Drop Dead Gorgeous, Race 8 - 19.30 Hardy Warrior.