Saturday afternoon sees the northeast track of Newcastle stage one of its biggest days of the year. Together with the Northumberland Plate on the flat and the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle, the Eider Handicap Chase completes the big three at the Gosforth Park venue.
Of those three contests, the Eider Chase demands the most of its competitors. Held over a marathon 4m1½f, and often taking place in arduous conditions, the gruelling contest features 24 stiff but fair fences. With the emphasis firmly on stamina, the Eider Chase has been used as a prep race for the Aintree Grand National in the past, with Comply Or Die famously completing the double for the David Pipe team in 2008.
With the final list of runners confirmed for the 2026 edition, an intriguing field of 10 is set to do battle for £80,000 in prize money. Included in that number are a pair of staying stars who know just what it takes to succeed.
Angler’s Crag Fishing for More Success
Heading into the 2026 edition, Wyndburgh (1957, 1958) and Highland Wedding (1966, 1967, 1969) are the only horses with more than one Eider Chase win to their name. This year’s field includes two runners who will attempt to add their name to that exclusive list. The first of which is the 2024 champ and current market leader, Angler’s Crag.
Brian Ellison certainly loves a winner at Newcastle! ❤️
Anglers Crag provided him with a thrilling win in the Eider Chase! pic.twitter.com/6O732ZDo6H
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) February 25, 2024
Following a spell in the doldrums, Angler’s Crag joined the yard of Geordie handler Brian Ellison ahead of the 2023/24 season. The Multiplex gelding seemed to enjoy his new surroundings, embarking on a four-race winning streak which culminated in a last gasp Eider Chase success. Following that effort, Angler’s Crag reverted to the form of his latter months at the yard of David Pipe. Six subsequent efforts yielded three pulled-up outings and nothing better than a 23-length fourth in the Edinburgh National.
In an effort to reignite the fire, connections moved Angler’s Crag to the Cumbrian yard of Nicky Richards in November 2025. The early evidence suggests that the wandering horse may have found inspiration in a change of scenery. Making his debut for Richards in a 3m Carlisle Handicap, he cruised to a nine-length victory. He has received an 8lb rise in the handicap for that effort but is still only 4lb higher than when winning the 2024 edition, and that proven ability over track and trip counts in his favour.
Knockanore Back for More
Angler’s Crag returned to defend his crown in 2025 but blotted his copybook when unseating his rider before the start, galloping loose, and playing no part in the race. In his absence, the Ryan Potter-trained Knockanore turned the race into a procession.
Knockanore runs out an impressive winner of the Eider Chase at @NewcastleRaces!
A big win for Ryan Porter and his team!👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/KIxB8vaBDq
— Sky Sports Racing (@SkySportsRacing) February 22, 2025
Predominantly raced at 2m4f ahead of the race, the mount of Freddie Mitchell found huge improvement for his first crack at a marathon trip. Sauntering into contention at the third last, he pulled further and further clear on the run in to score by a resounding 16 lengths.
In common with Angler’s Crag, Knockanore has failed to back up his Eider Chase performance. Pulled up in two of his six races since, he has failed to finish within 23 lengths of the winner on the occasions when he has got round. Despite racing from 10lb out of the handicap and being pulled up at Newbury last time, the defending champ was one of only four runners available to back at a single-figure price following the final declarations.
Live Chance for Livin on Luco
That there have been only two multiple winners of the Eider Chase highlights the scale of the task facing Angler’s Crag and Knockanore. If there is to be a new name on the roll of honour in 2026, the market suggests it is most likely to be the Philip Hobbs & Johnson White challenger Livin on Luco.
This eight-year-old has yet to race over quite this far but has suggested staying chases may be his forte since returning to the track in November. Kicking off with a narrow success in the Southern National at Fontwell, he then ran a cracker to finish a 9¼l fourth behind Haiti Couleurs in the Welsh Grand National. Racing off a 1lb lower mark than at Chepstow, he has sound claims of finishing a couple of places better, if handling the step up in trip.
Mr Vango Stands Tall at the Top of the Weights
Carrying 12st to victory in the Eider Chase is no easy task – only Highland Wedding has successfully shouldered such a burden, doing so when winning the race for the second time in 1967. However, if there is a horse built to cope with 12st on his back, it is surely the giant Mr Vango from the yard of Sara Bradstock.
With a lofty rating of 154, Mr Vango’s presence in the field means that Whistle Stop Tour, Red Delta, and Knockanore must race from out of the weights. That increases his chance of coming home in front in a race which ought to suit him well. The definition of the unflashy, one-paced galloper, Mr Vango has already used his formidable stride to win the London National and Midlands Grand National. He needs to bounce back from a disappointing outing at Sandown but could be dangerous if getting into a rhythm for David Bass.
2024 Sussex National winner Dom Of Mary and 2024 Welsh National champ Val Dancer are others to note in what promises to be a cracking renewal. Tune in at 2:43pm on Saturday to discover who stays on best of all.