At four miles, one furlong, and 55 yards, the Eider Chase at Newcastle is one of the most demanding stamina tests in the National Hunt calendar. With soft ground in places and further rain in the forecast, the race could require as much staying power as the Grand National itself. The extended trip will pose a new challenge for several contenders, making it a fascinating betting puzzle.
Two of the early market leaders, O’Connell and Collectors Item, will both be racing beyond three and a half miles for the first time. While both horses appear to have the attributes required for such a grueling test, it remains to be seen how they will handle the extra distance. O’Connell arrives on the back of three straight handicap wins but is now running off a 22lb higher mark than when his winning streak began.
Collectors Item, meanwhile, has also been progressing well this season and secured a strong-staying win at Wincanton last time out. While he has been given a 4lb rise in the weights for that performance, Jack Hogan’s 3lb claim effectively negates most of that penalty, making him an appealing option in the 2.10 at Newcastle.
At Kempton, Rubaud is a leading contender in the 1.50 after showing improvement in the Kingmaker at Warwick. Though flattered by his proximity to the Arkle-bound L’Eau Du Sud, he took a step forward after a fall on his chasing debut. With Kempton being a track where he generally runs well, he should be in contention.
The 2.25 at Kempton features a competitive lineup, with Mondo Man looking like a solid choice. He was a classy performer on the Flat, boasting a fifth-place finish in the French Derby, and his recent effort at Ascot saw him finish within four lengths of Lulamba despite racing keenly. The form of that race could receive a boost, making him an intriguing runner.
At Southwell, last year’s winner, Diligent Harry, lines up in the 2.40 and could reverse the form with Marshman. He looked in need of the run when making his seasonal reappearance at Lingfield after nearly 200 days off. With that run under his belt, he should strip fitter and has every chance of finding the required improvement to turn the tables.
The 3.00 at Kempton features Andashan, who showed dramatic improvement when switching to front-running tactics over course and distance last time. The step up in class presents a fresh challenge, but the impressive 18-length margin of victory suggests he deserves a chance at this level. The performance was backed up by a strong time figure, reinforcing his credentials for this Grade Two contest.
Southwell’s 3.15 sees the return of Royal Champion, a horse with a globe-trotting career. After four years with Roger Varian in Newmarket, he raced in Australia, where he was placed at Group Two level. Now back in the UK with Kevin Ryan, he looked as good as ever when landing a Listed event at Lingfield at the end of last year.
The 3.35 at Kempton features Lowry’s Bar, who ran a creditable race in a Grade Two novice chase at Windsor last time. A bad mistake three out hindered his winning chance, but he still kept on well to get within three lengths of the promising Jingko Blue. He has shown steady progress over fences and remains unexposed at three miles, making him an interesting contender in what looks like a competitive renewal.
