The Eider Chase is run over a gruelling 4m1f trip at Newcastle racecourse and is a handicap race that is seen as another key Grand National trial ahead of the big Liverpool race the following month. In recent years the David Pipe-trained Comply Or Die (2008) is the most recent example of the winner of this race going onto land the Merseyside Marathon that same season.
Did You Know – 14 of the last 16 winners were aged 10 or younger, while 11 of the last 16 successful horses were Irish bred.
We take a look back at recent winners and give you all the key trends and stats to take into the 2021 renewal – this year run on Saturday 27th February.
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Recent Eider Chase Winners
2020 - No Race
2019 – CROSSPARK (12/1)
2018 – BAYWING (8/1)
2017 - BAYWING (8/1)
2017 – MYSTEREE (10/1)
2016 – ROCKING BLUES (8/1)
2015 – MILBOROUGH (18/1)
2014 – WYCK HILL (9/1)
2013 – No Race
2012 – PORTRAIT KING (11/4fav)
2011 – COMPANERO (16/1)
2010 – No Race
2009 – MERIGO (5/1)
2008 – COMPLY OR DIE (11/1)
2007 – NIL DESPERANDUM (6/1)
2006 – PHILSON RUN (10/1)
2005 – No Race
2004 – TYNEANDTHYNEAGAIN (28/1)
2003 – No Race
2002 – THIS IS SERIOUS (4/1 fav)
2001 – NARROW WATER (6/1)
2000 - SCOTTON GREEN (8/1)
Key Eider Chase Betting Trends
16/16 – Had won over at least 3m before
14/16 – Aged 10 or younger
13/16 – Carried 10-13 or more
13/16 – Priced 12/1 or shorter in the betting
12/16 – Had raced within the last 6 weeks
11/16 – Irish-bred
11/16 – Winners came from the top 3 in the betting
11/16 – Winning distance – 4 lengths or less
11/16 – Placed in the top 4 last time out
10/16 – Officially rated between 131-140
10/16 – Aged either 8 or 9 years-old
8/16 – Placed favourites
5/16 – Won last time out
5/16 – Won over 3m4f or further before
3/16 – Carried 11-12 in weight
2/16 – Winning favourites
2/16 – Irish-trained winners
The average winning SP in the last 16 runnings is 10/1
TQ VERDICT: No running of this race last year but we have got the 2019 winner in the race – Crosspark. This 11 year-old is, however, rated a massive 15lbs higher than when he won this a few seasons ago and does have a touch of the ‘seconds’ at the moment after finishing runner-up in his last four races. Therefore, I think of those nearer the head of the market, the 9 year-old SAM’S ADVENTURE is the better option. Yes, he unseated last time out at Haydock in the Peter Marsh Chase, but before that was a nice winner of the Tommy Whittle Chase and looks the sort to improve again for this step up in trip. He’s only had 9 career runs over fences, so is fairly lightly-raced for his age and is also a proven course winner at the track – albeit over hurdles. With the 150-rated Crosspark in the race this means several are also running from out of the handicap – Strong Economy, Haul Us, Little Red Lion and Friends Don’t Ask, so they would have a bit to find at the weights, but of that bunch Strong Economy and Little Red Lion were both good winners last time out and can’t be ruled out. But STRONG ECONOMY (e/w) is somewhat of an Ayr specialist these days – has run all bar one of his 21 career runs there – so it’s hard to know how he’ll fare here. Having said that, the tracks are not too dissimilar, and he gets in here with only 10-0 to carry, which would make him very dangerous. The cheekpieces are also on for the first time and the way he stayed on over 3m3f last time would be an encouraging sign stepping up to this extreme trip. Of the remainder, Salty Boy, Big River, Cyclop, The Dutchman and Springfield Fox would all have claims on their best form, but also all have a bit to answer based on their most recent runs.
