Main players stand their ground as 18 declared for Virgin Bet Eider Handicap Chase
A total of 18 horses will go to post on Saturday 22 February 2025 at Gosforth Park for the Virgin Bet Eider Handicap Chase which is run over 4m1½f and is worth £80,000.
The thriving O’Connell goes in search of a four-timer in this contest for his Northern yard whose sole win in the Virgin Bet Eider came almost 20 years ago. The stats are in his favour too with six of the last seven renewals won by 9-year-old’s.
Brian Ellison loves winning feature races at his local track, and his 10-year-old Anglers Crag is one of few in this line-up who have not only won at this track but also over this marathon trip. He has struggled in four starts since winning this race last year.
There has been market support in recent days for the Somerset National winner Collectors Item, despite the fact 8-year-old has never ran off a mark as high as this in his career before.
Gavin Sheehan is on track to record his best ever season numerically and his mount Passing Well is a course winner at Newcastle. He also showed strong staying qualities when only beaten a head by Sporting Ace in the Surrey National when the pair met over 3m5f at Lingfield last month.
A similarly consistent type is Choosethenews whose trainer Mark Walford enjoyed his biggest win to date last weekend and could be set for further big race honours this Saturday. The course winner is still relatively unexposed for a horse of his age, particularly over staying trips.
Both Irish entrants History Of Fashion and Bodhisattva have stood their ground, while Tommy Whittle winner Egbert adds further strength in depth to a fascinating renewal of the Virgin Bet Eider.
Latest Eider Handicap Chase odds: O’Connell 6/1f, Collectors Item 7/1, Anglers Crag 8/1, Passing Well 10/1, BAR 12/1
Gates open at 11:30am and the going is currently described as Good to Soft. The action gets underway at 1:35pm with the final race due off at 5:05pm.
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