Rose Dobbin hopes her “dude of a horse” can keep up the Dobbin family’s long winning association with Carlisle Racecourse.
The Northumberland trainer will saddle Captain Quint in the Go North Monet's Garden Series Final Handicap Chase this weekend.
It is part of the Racing Post Go North Festival which sees racing at three different venues on consecutive days.
After Musselburgh on Friday and Kelso on Saturday, the action comes to Carlisle on Sunday.
And Dobbin feels it would be fitting if Captain Quint succeeds, with her husband Tony having a long affinity with Carlisle and with the legendary horse Monet’s Garden.
Rose Dobbin said: “The plan is to run Captain Quint at Carlisle on Sunday. He is a really nice type and we always thought a lot of him. I definitely think he has got a bit of quality about him and I think he will be even better again next season.
“The way he won at Ayr [last time out on March 1] was really pleasing. He was flat out all the way round but Craig [Nichol, jockey] thought it would be useful for his education. He ran well at Carlisle over two miles before that and I think returning there over the extra half a mile will suit him.
“We were slightly confused as to what trip he did want as we thought he wanted three miles on deep ground and that might be the case in the future but two and a half miles on soft ground will be right up his street.
“He is just a dude of a horse. He is very laid back and he is such a gentleman of a horse who will hopefully keep progressing.
“It is a great series and the prize money on offer is brilliant. We’ve had an okay season but we could do with a nice bit of prize money to bolster us so it would be lovely if he could win it.
“It would be great if he could win it for my very supportive parents [Duncan and Sarah Davidson] as it is a really nice prize.
“As we all know Tony had a long association with Monet’s Garden and he loves going back to Carlisle so it would be fitting if Captain Quint could win this race.”
The Go North Festival includes nine £30,000 races which are the finals of the Go North Series plus the £50,000 BetVictor Herring Queen Series Final Mares' Novices' Handicap Hurdle at Kelso on Saturday.
In order to be eligible for any of the £30,000 finals, horses must have participated in two relevant qualifiers during the current season.
Helen Willis, Carlisle Racecourse general manager, said Carlisle was looking forward to playing its part in such a major event.
“We are very excited to host the chase finals on the last day of the Go North Weekend which is now in its third year of running,” she said.
“This excellent initiative provides valuable opportunities for connections who have supported our northern racecourses throughout the winter jumps season.”
Tickets are available online via https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/carlisle/events-tickets/
There are also two courtesy shuttle services running from the Halston hotel at 12pm and 12.45om to Carlisle Racecourse on Sunday. After the racing, a further shuttle bus will bring racegoers back into the city centre via English Street.
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