Eider Chase: trainer quotes and expert insight for the big-field marathon

Saturday: 3.15 Newcastle
Vertem Eider Handicap Chase | 4m1½f | 5yo+ | ITV/Sky

The Eider has a certain reputation, which fans of staying chases like to lay on thick. It is the plodders' plod, the race beyond which a horse has no recourse to make greater use of its stamina save for the Mongol Derby.

But reputations tend to be made by events rather than facts. Think of a dour Eider and many will recall Mysteree going up and down on the spot five years ago, or Companero's win in 2011 when the last fence was less jumped than straddled.

The wider picture is a bit less harsh. The Eider is a little shorter than both the Grand National and Midlands National and, in most years, it is the quickest race of the three in spite of taking place deeper in winter.

Conditions matter. The GoingStick reading at Newcastle the day Companero won the Eider was 3.4. Tom Segal appeared on the Morning Line that day and quipped that the Atlantic Ocean was only 3.2. Other recent runnings have been on ground reported between 4.3 and 6.8.

The GoingStick reading at Newcastle on Friday was 7.3, with no rain forecast before race time. The inference is that this Eider is fairly unlikely to become the sort of slow-motion finish its reputation implies.

It is noted that many of the market principals have their best form on a testing surface. Eclair Surf made all in deep ground to win the Classic Chase last time. Danilo D'Airy's best run has been on heavy at Ffos Las, a track known for its muddiness. Excess stamina is never a bad thing in the Eider, but it could be that the importance of these horses' skill sets are being overplayed this year.

Both of those horses tend to go from the front, too. Recent history suggests that is not the advantage in the Eider that it can be in other similar races – notably the Classic Chase. Plenty of recent winners have come from off the pace, probably because of variance more than anything. However, there is something in Newcastle's nature, with its long, gradual climb to the finish and prevailing headwind up the straight, that would suggest keeping a horse's nose out of the wind is a sensible approach.

Those were certainly the tactics employed on Win My Wings last time, when Nick Scholfield kept her nose off the screen for much of the straight at Exeter before swooping late. That race has worked out well, so much so that she is 2lb well in here having been put up on collateral form.

Christian Williams' somewhat lightly raced mare has been progressive over fences and has shone brightest given a test of stamina, having also won over 3m2f at Cheltenham in April. Her style might not immediately strike as suitable for a midwinter marathon, but the Eider can often be a special case among those types of races. This is why we devotees of the plod always circle the last Saturday in February on our calendars.
Race analysis by betting editor Keith Melrose

Five years on

Michael Scudamore and owner Lynne Maclennan landed the marathon with Mysteree five years ago and are back to repeat the feat with Court Master.

The nine-year-old got his head back in front in timely fashion last time when winning a three-runner contest over just shy of three miles at the Tyneside track.

Previously placed at Grade 3 level at Cheltenham, Court Master will appreciate the drying ground at Gosforth Park according to his trainer.

Scudamore said: "It's a big step up in trip, but he's just a galloper so hopefully should see it out, but one thing in his favour is the drying ground, all his best form is on good."

He added: "It was nice for him to get his head back in front for a change last time at Newcastle when he appeared to handle the track well."

What they say

Sean Curran, trainer of Domaine De L'Isle
We ran him over hurdles last time to try to get him ready for the Grand National but unfortunately he won't get in. It's not an easy race but we are claiming off him which will help.

Tom Bellamy, rider of Eclair Surf
Obviously he's up for 10lb for his last win at Warwick and he'll have to be on his A-game but we feel the trip will play to his strengths. I would have preferred it to be a bit softer but that should make it less of a test for him carrying 11st 11lb around there.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Brave Eagle
He's definitely suffering from the handicapper, but they tell me the ground is drying out a bit up there. If it continues to do so that it will help and he fell when he was going all right at Newcastle in the Rehearsal Chase a few years ago. He's an out-and-out stayer so this trip is ideal.

Christian Williams, trainer of Potters Corner and Win My Wings
The better ground might not hurt Potters Corner as he ran well in the cross-country at Cheltenham on nice ground. We've a bit of unfinished business in the race, I think he'd have gone well when he fell at the third-last one day. It's great to put a young lad up [Ellis Collier] who works hard in the yard. Win My Wings won well in a lesser race at Cheltenham and she's won in France. We've put cheekpieces on for the first time to keep her sharp for the first part of the race.

David Dennis, trainer of Inisfree Lad
The application of a visor helped him when he won at Plumpton the time before last, but things didn't work out when he went back there over hurdles as they omitted eight flights. This race looks as if it should suit him as will the drying ground.

Rose Dobbin, trainer of Rath An Luir
He's a good staying type who would have needed his first run back the other day but I don't think the ground will be soft enough for him. Ideally, we would have got another run into him but he's been to the track for a gallop recently and won't lack on fitness grounds.

Pat Fahy, trainer of History Of Fashion
This is obviously a big step up in trip for him but he's always looked a strong stayer to me. In plenty of his races he's only been getting going late on when it's nearly over. He likes good ground and couldn't have won any better last time. It's a shot in the dark and probably a big ask for a novice but we're happy to be here.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Just Your Type
He came down at almost the same spot as Master Tommytucker did at Lingfield last time where he was a bit unlucky to unseat. If he can get into a rhythm there's no reason why he can’t run well in a race in which he was sixth in 2019 after being interfered with down the back.

Mark Walford, trainer of Cash To Ash
He's one of the toughest horses we've ever had but keeps bumping into one and is the victim of his own consistency as he keeps creeping up the handicap without winning. He'll get the trip and we felt now was the time to try him in a better race.

Robert Bevis, trainer of Danilo D'Airy
Chasing is his game and he just loves it. Going this far we're going into the unknown but he stays three miles one and a half furlongs pretty well and the jockeys who have ridden him think he'll just keep galloping. If he's in the first three we'll be delighted.
Reporting by David Milnes

Saturday's race previews:

1.50 Kempton: is 'thorough professional' Knight Salute the most underrated horse in training?

2.05 Lingfield: 'He's shown the old spark' – Lord North takes on Alenquer in Winter Derby

2.25 Kempton: 'A flatter track will suit' – Paul Nicholls confident Pic D'Orhy can bounce back

3.00 Kempton: hot favourite Shallwehaveonemore needs to up his game says Gary Moore

3.37 Kempton: 'He's turned a corner' – Christian Williams chases big prize with three chances

4.18 Fairyhouse: last year's Grand National third and fourth go head-to-head in Bobbyjo Chase

Join Racing Post Members' Club for just £9.99 for your first month! Members' Club is the only subscription racing fans and punters need in order to stay informed and make smarter betting decisions. Features include early access to the Racing Post digital newspaper, exclusive news and interviews, premium tips and form study tools to assist with betting. Head to our subscription page here, select 'Get Ultimate Monthly' and enter code CHELT22!