Rummy the Labrador tries his luck over an open ditch at Newcastle

Runners in next Saturday's Eider Handicap Chase have been given a first-hand example of how not to negotiate one of the 25 obstacles they will face in Newcastle's marathon test.

Clerk of the course James Armstrong was taking a walk of the track with his fox red Labrador named Rummy, when the dog suddenly decided to channel his inner thoroughbred and took on an open ditch down the course's back straight.

"He's featured in a few of our social media promotions from time to time – he loves jumping fences," Armstrong said. "He's a regular over them but can revert to hurdles if required – he's dual purpose."

The 4m½f Eider was last year won by the Nicky Richards-trained Baywing and is often seen as a trial for the Grand National, with the last horse to complete the double being Comply Or Die in 2008.

Armstrong added: "It's not often we're walking around the track in shoes on a February afternoon. There's no rain in the forecast at all and it looks like we could end up good to soft or even better."

The Henry Daly-trained Back To The Thatch is a best-priced 12-1 favourite for this year's Eider, followed by Daklondike and Jammin Masters.

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