I’ve always looked forward to the Eider; it’s a banquet for a staying chase enthusiast such as myself (and quite a few others on TH, judging by the anticipation glowing from these pages) Well, I say banquet but, really, it’s not the highest class field we’ve ever seen (top-weight 136). However, I’ll still be drawn to the narrative that will unfold over this marathon 4m. Like a moth to a flame.
To be sure, there are not many horses who get this sort of trip so stamina on the ground are the keys, obviously.
I’ve been immersed in the form for a couple of days now and it would be impossible and boring for me to give you a commentary on that, so here are three I’ve picked out, for different reasons.
Firstly, and my main choice is Choosethenews. He’s a lightly-raced gelding, this one and ‘chasing is the name of the game’ (to quote John Oaksey) clearly, with just two runs over hurdles. Sire Westerner would definitely suggest staying trips and it’s surprising to see that he’s only had two runs at around 3m. The first of these saw him PU at the beck-end of last season. The second was twenty-five days ago at Newcastle in a race also contested by Lord Roco. I wouldn’t blame anyone for backing Roco here; after all, there was not much between them last time out and they meet on similar terms, yet Roco is much longer in the market.
I side with Choosethenews because he seemed to be doing all his best work in the final furlong at Newcastle and just looked like an out-and-out stayer to me. So he’s the main choice. Three outings at Newcastle have given a first and two seconds. He jumped these fences really well last time out.
I’ll also have a little on two others: Collectors Item and Passing Well. These two have been on my alerts since very early doors in their chasing careers. Looking back to my notes, I see that I wrote this:
------------------------------------------------------------------
Collectors Item
08/12/23 Sandown 3m Soft Class 3) H/cap chase 3m37y Soft
A lightly-raced 6yo, he’s only had 8 rules races and just 2 chases previous to this. Really, it was quite remarkable how much ground he made up at the end: a wet sail indeed.
They’ve turned to chasing very quickly and he may well be worth following over 3m and maybe marathon trips; he does look like a right stayer to me although, it must be said, the breeding wouldn’t suggest so.
Just a note. He went to Uttoxeter in March last over 3m hurdles, where he stayed on. It made me think that the Midlands National might be possible. Trainer says the horse needs softer ground.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, the ground has dried somewhat but I’m not thinking this surface will prove an issue.
Lastly, I have to include the other of my alerts in Passing Well. He’s been under my eye ever since his first novice chase and I must say I’m really surprised to see him attempting 4m but there you go; it’ll be little ew’s on these two
Good luck with your Saturday bets.
To be sure, there are not many horses who get this sort of trip so stamina on the ground are the keys, obviously.
I’ve been immersed in the form for a couple of days now and it would be impossible and boring for me to give you a commentary on that, so here are three I’ve picked out, for different reasons.
Firstly, and my main choice is Choosethenews. He’s a lightly-raced gelding, this one and ‘chasing is the name of the game’ (to quote John Oaksey) clearly, with just two runs over hurdles. Sire Westerner would definitely suggest staying trips and it’s surprising to see that he’s only had two runs at around 3m. The first of these saw him PU at the beck-end of last season. The second was twenty-five days ago at Newcastle in a race also contested by Lord Roco. I wouldn’t blame anyone for backing Roco here; after all, there was not much between them last time out and they meet on similar terms, yet Roco is much longer in the market.
I side with Choosethenews because he seemed to be doing all his best work in the final furlong at Newcastle and just looked like an out-and-out stayer to me. So he’s the main choice. Three outings at Newcastle have given a first and two seconds. He jumped these fences really well last time out.
I’ll also have a little on two others: Collectors Item and Passing Well. These two have been on my alerts since very early doors in their chasing careers. Looking back to my notes, I see that I wrote this:
------------------------------------------------------------------
Collectors Item
08/12/23 Sandown 3m Soft Class 3) H/cap chase 3m37y Soft
A lightly-raced 6yo, he’s only had 8 rules races and just 2 chases previous to this. Really, it was quite remarkable how much ground he made up at the end: a wet sail indeed.
They’ve turned to chasing very quickly and he may well be worth following over 3m and maybe marathon trips; he does look like a right stayer to me although, it must be said, the breeding wouldn’t suggest so.
Just a note. He went to Uttoxeter in March last over 3m hurdles, where he stayed on. It made me think that the Midlands National might be possible. Trainer says the horse needs softer ground.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, the ground has dried somewhat but I’m not thinking this surface will prove an issue.
Lastly, I have to include the other of my alerts in Passing Well. He’s been under my eye ever since his first novice chase and I must say I’m really surprised to see him attempting 4m but there you go; it’ll be little ew’s on these two
Good luck with your Saturday bets.
Last edited:
