Horse Racing tips: The leading contenders for Saturday's Eider Chase

*Odds quoted on the widget are future racing/antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason – you will lose your stake under traditional antepost rules

One of the great Grand National trials is at Newcastle on Saturday in the form of The Eider Chase, run over a marathon four miles and half a furlong.

This is how the leading contenders are shaping up.

Sam’s Adventure

The big plunge horse over the last few days has been SAM’S ADVENTURE. Brian Ellison’s nine-year-old has more than halved in price from 10/1 into 4/1 and when the money comes for a runner from this yard, you have got to sit up and take notice.

Sam’s Adventure is a thorough stayer who goes well on testing ground. His victory in the Tommy Whittle at Haydock back in December was very impressive, and although he unseated next time out in the Peter Marsh, he remains a fascinating runner who should get his ideal conditions.

Calett Mad

Another runner who has been all the rage is CALETT MAD. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ lightly raced nine-year-old was last seen unseating his rider at the 10th fence in the Becher Chase at Aintree. That was his first run in almost a year after showing promise when second in a couple of handicaps around Warwick and Kelso.

Calett Mad was a good second behind Harry The Viking over a similar trip in that Kelso race, he could be the class act of the race.

Crosspark

One runner who will certainly get the trip is 2019 winner CROSSPARK. Crosspark showed plenty of guts by beating Mysteree by a neck on that occasion.

Caroline Bailey’s 11-year-old has been second in his last four races so is due a change of luck. Crosspark will also have to shoulder top-weight but Comply or Die, Nil Desperandum and Tyneandthyneagain have all carried this weight to victory in recent years, so it’s not out of the question. He’s hugely admirable and is sure to run his race again.

The Dutchman

One of the more interesting each-way moves over the last few days has been on Tristan Davidson’s 11-year-old THE DUTCHMAN. The Dutchman was very unlucky to be collared near the line in a Veteran’s Chase at Haydock two races back, as his big weight just told at the end of the race.

He was leading when crashing four out in the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby, so while he appears to retain some ability, it’s questionable if he can carry another big weight around against this company.

Springfield Fox

SPRINGFIELD FOX looked to be a young stayer of promise when he landed a novice chase at Exeter back in February 2020. He was then sent off a 7/1 shot for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham but made a series of errors before unseating his rider.

He has lost his way since then and was pulled up in both his starts this season. Tom George will be hopeful that he can get his act together, but he remains too risky a proposition until we see him put a good round in.

Cyclop

CYCLOP has had a terrific season, reeling off three victories and subsequently shooting up the weights. But he was disappointing on his stable debut for the Matt Sheppard yard last time out at Wincanton and it looks like the handicapper has him in his grip.

Big River

The one I like is Lucinda Russell’s 11-year-old, BIG RIVER. His most recent victory was around Kelso (a course he loves) back in January 2020. But since then he has been running with great credit in some big handicaps.

His fifth place run behind The Conditional in the Ultima at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival was a superb effort. He was third on his seasonal debut in a Grade 3 at Cheltenham back in November and followed that up with a credible run in the Welsh Grand National where he finished eight. A race like this looks to be tailor made for Big River and I expect him to put in a bold show.