Joe Tizzard says he is concerned about the ground, although War Lord will relish the step up in distance when he lines up in the AIS December Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The grey has won six times under Rules, but he has never won beyond 2m3f.
The son of Jukebox Jury spent the majority of his novice chasing season at two miles, winning three times and running well in the Arkle before stepping up in distance to finish second in Grade One company at Aintree on his final start last term.
The gelding, who won the Betfair Racing Only Bettor Handicap Hurdle over an intermediate trip at Haydock in 2020, kicked off his season with a decent showing at Exeter last month.
He began the new campaign in the Haldon Gold Cup over almost two and a quarter miles and he stayed on well to finish third to the impressive Greaneteen.
A mistake three out put paid to War Lord's chances of challenging Paul Nicholls' charge, but on a mark of 148 he is expected to get the extra three furlongs.
Joe Tizzard though is concerned about the drying out at Prestbury Park for the £130,000 contest.
"I think he will run a lovely race," said Tizzard. "He was a progressive novice last year and his run in the Haldon Gold Cup – if you stopped it turning in it looked like he would drop out the back of the TV – but he stayed on quite well.
"I'm a little bit worried about the ground, it looks to be drying up and the ground is in the back of my mind, but this has been the plan since Exeter and he's in good nick at home and should be competitive off this mark.
"I think he's crying out for it (step up in trip), that's what he was telling us at the back end of last year and certainly that's what we took from the race at Exeter."
