Warrior set to strike again

REBECCA MENZIES appears to have found Road Warrior an excellent opportunity to secure his fourth victory at Sedgefield.

Based just a stone’s throw from the County Durham circuit at Howe Hills stables, Menzies is enjoying a good campaign, both over jumps and on the Flat.

Road Warrior has been something of a flag-bearer for the upwardly mobile yard in the past 12 months, with three course wins supplemented by success at Newcastle.

After winning comfortably here on Boxing Day under 10lb claimer Peter Coleman, who is again on board, Road Warrior had to make do with the runner-up spot on his latest visit to Sedgefield.

The eight-year-old was ultimately no match for The King Of May, who was dangerously well handicapped, with his rating having fallen 8lb since his previous win a year earlier.

Running from the same mark of 121, less Coleman’s claim, Road Warrior looks sure to go close once again in the rpsdesani.co.uk Reducing Packaging Costs Handicap Chase.

A hefty hike in the weights might not be enough to prevent Anyharminasking from following up in the Kelowna Bears And Rps Desani Environmental Solutions Handicap Hurdle.

A E145,000 purchase from the Irish point-to-point field, Jonjo O’Neill’s charge was beginning to look seriously expensive after being beaten on his first three starts over hurdles.

However, none of those efforts were without promise and it was no surprise to see him sent off a hot favourite on his handicap debut at Catterick recently.

Anyharminasking made a mockery of his opening perch of 114, approaching the final flight still full of running and winning on the bridle.

The assessor has walloped him with a 13lb rise, but he is nevertheless expected to prove hard to beat.

Brian Hughes rarely leaves Sedgefield without a winner and his best chance of the afternoon could be Heartbreak Kid in the Kelowna Bears Reduce Your Waste Costs Novices’ Handicap Chase.

In four previous outings at the track Donald McCain’s runner has won twice and been placed twice, with his two victories coming over the smaller obstacles.

It is fair to say his efforts over fences so far have been a little underwhelming, but that does as least mean he is able to compete off a rating 10lb lower than his hurdles mark.

The combination of a slight drop in the weights and a return to a sounder surface could do the trick as Heartbreak Kid bids to open his account over fences.

Fontwell punters are advised to put their faith in Notlongtillmay in the opening Cazoo EBF ``National Hunt’’ Novices’ Hurdle.

Placed in two bumpers, the Chris Gordon-trained gelding made his hurdling debut at Haydock last month - and was not disgraced in finishing fourth behind the unbeaten Jungle Jack.

He actually did well to finish as close as he did after taking a keen hold for much of the race in the demanding conditions on Merseyside.

The enthusiastic son of Malinas should be seen in a better light on better ground this weekend.