5 minutes Check out what the big pundits, tipsters and racing royalty tip up in our betting.bet Eider Chase from Newcastle.
In a huge day of racing for betting.bet our feature sponsor race is the 14:08 at Newcastle, the Eider Chase with 80k worth of prize money on offer for the winner.
The race is super competitive with no stand out favourite or any notable outsiders there is great value available for punters if they get it right.
Betting.Bet Eider Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
So whats the verdict around the industry:
Matt Chapman
THE GALLOPING BEAR - 9/1 - NAGSBET
"The ITV cameras also got to Newcastle Saturday for this Eider Handicap Chase over an extended 4m1f. Not many of these could dream of being in the Grand National which tells you much about the class of the event this time around. At the age of 11 it’s hard to be strong on THE GALLOPING BEAR who was second last year off the same mark of 140. That said, the old boy stays well and goes in mud so he does have every chance of reaching a place if producing his best for Ben Clarke and Joe Anderson, who takes off a useful 5lb. Of course my hope was once the winner of a big prize at Haydock before being disqualified for a banned substance and he deserves a prize of this nature in his career."
Mick Fitzgerald
MAJOR DUNDEE - 10/1 - NAGSBET
"This could be a case of last horse standing. The going description says heavy and it will take some getting. MAJOR DUNDEE is a tough horse to predict, however, Alan King has his team in good form. The last time Major Dundee really kicked into gear was at Uttoxeter over a marathon trip and I’m hoping that a return to those conditions will bring out a return to form."
Barry Hill
PRINCE DES FICHAUX. - 18/1 - NAGSBET
"So, the Betting.bet Eider Handicap Chase is shaping up to be a real challenge, especially with the tough conditions. It's looking like anyone's race over the four and a quarter miles. Anglers Crag and Fenland Tiger are the hot picks right now based on their latest performances, but I'm thinking we shouldn't sleep on PRINCE DES FICHAUX.
Only finishing a whisker behind Fenland Tiger here last time, and I can't help but feel Ewan Whillans' horse is being underrated, especially when you compare the odds to the second fave.Sure, on paper, Prince Des Fichaux is at a slight disadvantage with Fenland Tiger because he's carrying an extra 4lbs this Saturday.
But honestly, the odds seem to have already taken that into account. Plus, the horse is on the up, with just six chases under his belt so far. And it's not like he's been with Whillans for ages; he only joined after nabbing a win at Ffos Las last April for Sam Thomas and Dai Walters.It seems like it took him a bit to find his groove, but his last race in Newcastle was a standout, especially with the blinkers on for just the second time. He could've nailed it if not for struggling over the last few jumps. Still, he was pushing hard at the end, leaving the third place far behind. If that race is anything to go by, I've got a hunch we're backing the right horse at great odds."
Rory Delargy
FENLAND TIGER - 6/1 - NAGSBET
"None of these will qualify for the Grand National and this race is a bit of a waste of time! I’ve landed on FENLAND TIGER for Sam England. He’s got the right credentials for this and Sam is a shrewd trainer. He’s won his last two starts and he’s jumped really well, which is a huge bonus in a race like this. He’ll take plenty of beating off a mark of 120."
Templegate (The Sun)
FENLAND TIGER - 6/1 - NAGSBET
"He is an improving stayer who took another step forward when winning here in the mud last time out. That was over three miles but he wasn’t stopping and his good jumping will be an asset in these tough conditions. He still looks ahead of the handicapper and will be hard to keep out of the frame."
Matt Brocklebank
PRINCE DES FICHAUX. - 18/1 - NAGSBET
"Granted, Prince Des Fichaux is technically a couple of pounds worse off with Fenland Tiger as he’s running from 4lb out of the handicap in Saturday’s contest, but that looks well factored into the market as he is essentially an improving stayer with just the six chase starts to his name."
Ben Linfoot
MAJOR DUNDEE - 10/1 - NAGSBET
"MAJOR DUNDEE is worth backing now he tackles a marathon trip again in the Betting.Bet Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle.
Alan King’s horse won the Midlands National last March over 4m2f from a mark of 129 and that’s the best he's ever travelled at a tempo that played to his strengths. He hasn't raced to that level in three starts this season, but two of them were over trips around three miles and he was unsuited by the hell-for-leather nature of the Classic Chase at Warwick last time where he was taken off his feet early.
The good thing is he’s dropped in the weights to a mark just 3lb higher than his Uttoxeter win and King, who was struggling earlier in the season, is in much better form now. This represents a drop in class from Warwick for Major Dundee and much better is expected now he should be racing at a tempo he’s comfortable with, in a race where being proven over the distance can count for so much."
