At four miles, one furlong and 55 yards, the Eider Chase at Newcastle is barely a furlong shorter than the Grand National and with the ground soft in places and some rain in the forecast, it may well demand as much staying power from its winner as the Aintree showpiece in April.
As a result, it will require a slight leap of faith for punters to back either O’Connell or Collectors Item, the early favourites after a full field of 18 was declared on Thursday, as both will be racing beyond three-and-a-half miles for the first time.
It is fair to stay that both horses shape as though marathon trips will be their forte, however, but O’Connell, who is going for a fourth straight handicap success, is now 22lb higher than for the first of those wins.
Collectors Item (2.10) too is edging up the weights after a productive season to date but a 4lb rise for a strong-staying win at Wincanton last time is all but offset by Jack Hogan’s 3lb claim.
Kempton 1.50 Rubaud was somewhat flattered by his proximity to the Arkle-bound L’Eau Du Sud in the Kingmaker at Warwick but that was still a step forward after a fall on his chasing debut and this is a track where he generally runs well.
Kempton 2.25 Having entered both Lulamba and Palladium for the last major trial for the Triumph Hurdle, Nicky Henderson decided to keep both of his leading four-year-olds at home but the form of Lulamba’s British debut at Ascot in January should still get a boost via Mondo Man. Gary and Josh Moore’s gelding was classy on the Flat, with a fifth place in the French Derby on his cv, and was within four lengths of Lulamba last time despite racing freely for much of the way.
Southwell 2.40 Last year’s winner, Diligent Harry, looked like he needed the run on his return from nearly 200 days off at Lingfield last time and he could well find the improvement required to turn the tables on Marshman, who was four lengths in front of him there.
Kempton 3.00 A switch to front-running tactics saw an abrupt improvement in form by Andashan over course and distance earlier this month. This is a significant step up in the class but the bare form of his 18-length win was backed up by a strong time that suggests he is worth his place in Grade Two company.
Quick GuideGreg Wood’s Saturday tips
Show
Kempton 1.15 Saint Anapolino 1.50 Rubaud 2.25 Mondo Man 3.00 Andashan 3.35 Lowry’s Bar (nap) 4.10 Keep Running 4.45 One Knight
Chepstow 1.25 Kapal Layar 2.00 Royal Jewel 2.32 Ikarak 3.07 Prince Quali 3.44 Sao Carlos 4.17 C’Est Different 4.52 Just Golden
Newcastle 1.35 Drusilla 2.10 Collectors Item (nb) 2.45 He’s Bresilian 3.20 J’Etoile 3.55 Big Boy Bobby 4.30 Caldwell 5.05 Treasured Company
Southwell 2.40 Diligent Harry 3.15 Royal Champion 3.50 Glen Buck 4.25 Abruzzo Mia 5.00 Where’s Freddy 5.30 Legendary Day 6.00 General Admission 6.30 Midnight’s Dream 7.00 Shahbaz
Chelmsford 5.15 Scattering Light 5.45 Enpassant 6.15 Combustion 6.45 Brunel Charm 7.15 El Bufalo 7.45 Elterwater 8.15 Ballybaymoonshiner
Southwell 3.15 Royal Champion has had a globe-trotting career in six seasons on the track, having spent four years with Roger Varian in Newmarket before a switch to race in Australia where he was placed at Group Two level. He is now back in the UK with Kevin Ryan and looked as good as ever when landing a Listed event at Lingfield on the last day of 2024.
Kempton 3.35 A bad mistake three out put paid to the winning chance of Lowry’s Bar in a Grade Two novice chase at Windsor in January but he still kept on well to get within three lengths of a useful winner in Jingko Blue, has progressed smoothly in four starts over fences and remains unexposed at this three-mile trip.
