Eider Chase Tips: Double Figure Priced Pick For Newcastle Showpiece

A race for the real stamina sappers takes place as the feature up at Newcastle on Saturday with the Eider Chase, live on ITV Racing. Billy Grimshaw has analysed the field and has an each-way recommendation...

This year's Eider Chase looks unbelievably competitive and I would begrudge no tipster or punter having a couple of runners onside considering the depth of the field and the myriad of likely contenders. Favourite O'Connell comes into the race in sparkling form, chasing a four timer after a string of impressive victories which have seen him rocket in the weights. After romping to his latest win at Sandown the handicapper has given him another 8lbs rise to contend with and this is the toughest race he has competed in, but crossing the line that day he still looked full of beans and the rise in the weights seems fair enough. He's not one to discount, but with such a competitive field behind him and his price at 5/1, he's not in my staking plan.

Anglers Crag won the race last year but is facing a stiffer task at the weights and comes into this race off a much less impressive campaign than he did in 2024. He is also now a ten year old and faces arguably a much more competitive renewal of the race, so while there is a nagging suspicion that all his poor runs thus far in his season have been mere preps for this, his World Cup Final, it's hard to make the case for backing him here even with 10/1 a tempting proposition. Another veteran who has already seen smatterings of money and could be a plunge horse is Ilikedwayurthinkin in the iconic green and gold of JP McManus. Ben Haslam's charge is a year older than Anglers Crag, but has looked as good as ever this season and only found Undeniable Alli too good at Ayr last time out in what was a great run.

He will have plenty of fans but I do think there are some younger legs who'll be able to outdo the veterans in the North East, with Choosethenews the last one off my shortlist. He has run some of his best races at this track over the years over shorter trips and always shaped like marathon tests is where he'd come into his own. He now finally gets the chance off a very workable mark of 126 and it'd be no surprise to see him travelling strongly throughout the race before making a late move. Nevertheless, at a slightly bigger price I am backing Jamie Snowden's PASSING WELL.

He was just touched off by the re-opposing Sporting Ace at Lingfield last time out but I am convinced he was the better horse that day and with more distance to cover and the ground in his favour - as well as a 1lbs weight swing - I'd be disappointed if he cannot at the very least reverse that formline. I think that was a strong race and wouldn't be surprised to see these two prominent and even fighting out the finish once more at Newcastle, with Passing Well coming out on top finally for the first time this season. Snowden is a brilliant target trainer and his season seems to have all been building up to this race over the longest trip he's faced thus far and I'm expecting a bold show,

He has proven versatile in terms of in-race tactics thus far in his career and Gavin Sheehan should have a strong pace to aim at in this race with Ilikedwayurthinkin in particular a known front runner who, if running to form, will attempt to lead them all a merry dance. Gaboriot could be a pace angle and warrants respect with his stamina proven and his jumping assured given his Becher Chase success, while top weight Collector's Item also has a chance for Jonjo and AJ O'Neill although one suspects he'd have preferred a bit more rain.

This should be one of the most competitive renewals of the Eider we have seen in some time and while I am quietly confident of a big run from our pick, it's not a race for big stakes so as always gamble responsibly.