The 2026 Eider Chase field included the past two winners of the race, as Knockanore and Anglers Crag sought to add their names to an exclusive list of dual winners. Knockanore trounced his rivals by 16 lengths in the 2025 edition but had shown very little since and was forced to race from 10lb out of the handicap under these conditions.
2024 winner Anglers Crag looked more interesting. Having lost the plot since that famous win, including when unshipping his rider at the start in his 2025 defence, he had bounced back to form at Carlisle in November. Seemingly revitalised by a switch to the Nicky Richards yard, he started as the joint favourite.
The Philip Hobbs & Johnson White runner Livin On Luco arrived in form following a win in the Southern National and a fine fourth in the Welsh Grand National. The eight-year-old was one of the most talked about horses in the lead-up to the race and started as the third choice of punters.
The Jonjo & A J O’Neill-trained Fortunate Man was one of the best backed horses on the day and joined Anglers Crag at the head of the market. Having finished in the frame in six of seven chase outings over 3m and beyond, he looked a solid place option.
Others to note included Devon National, London National, and Midlands Grand National winner Mr Vango, 2024 Welsh Grand National champ Val Dancer, and Lincolnshire National winner Red Delta.
Result
- 1st – Anglers Crag 4/1JF, Jockey: Danny McMenamin, Trainer: Nicky Richards
- 2nd – Only The Bold 18/1, Jockey: Jonathan Burke, Trainer: Jamie Snowden
- 3rd – Red Delta 15/2, Jockey: Charlie Maggs, Trainer: Fiona Needham
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £41,624
- 2nd – £19,136
- 3rd – £9,568
- 4th – £4,784
- 5th – £2,392
- 6th – £1,192
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £5
- Tote Places – 1st – £1.70, 2nd – £3.60, 3rd – £2.80
- Exacta – £77.30
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £68.83
- Trifecta – £548.50
- Tricast – £524.90
Recap
Anglers Crag briefly threatened a repeat of his 2025 antics when becoming unruly at the start. However, he was keen to get on with things when the starter lowered his flag. Setting off at a strong pace, he joined Mr Vango at the head of affairs over the first fence. Fortunate Man and Dom Of Mary came next, followed by Val Dancer, Knockanore, and Only The Bold. Whistle Stop Tour, Livin On Luco, and Red Delta were already 10 lengths off the pace over the second fence.
Passing the winning post for the first of three occasions, Anglers Crag had opened up a two-length lead over Mr Vango, who in turn sat a couple of lengths clear of Fortunate Man and Dom Of Mary. There were around a dozen lengths from first to last at this early stage.
Little change in the order on the first full circuit. Anglers Crag continued to bowl along at the head of affairs and put in a couple of huge leaps down the back straight. Defending champ Knockanore wasn’t so fluent, with a jarring error at the ninth putting him on the back foot. Mr Vango continued to race prominently with Fortunate Man, while Only The Bold caught the eye among the held-up runners.
As is often the case in this contest, the pace began to take its toll on the final circuit. Whistle Stop Tour was the first to call it a day when pulled up after the 16th, swiftly followed by Mr Vango, who weakened quickly after the 17th. Dom Of Mary then pulled up at the second last when tailed off.
Only six remained in contention as the runners turned into the straight. Anglers Crag still led with Val Dancer and Only The Bold a length behind and throwing down their challenges. Fortunate Man sat fourth but looked one-paced, while Red Delta began to rally from further back.
Only The Bold hit the front over the second last, but Anglers Crag found a second wind to regain the lead. Two lengths clear over the final fence, he stayed on dourly for a five-length success. A gallant effort from Only The Bold in second, with Red Delta finishing well for third.
A second Eider Chase victory for Nicky Richards, following Baywing’s 2018 success, and a first win in the race for Danny McMenamin. Anglers Crag, meanwhile, became only the third horse to win the Eider more than once, following in the hoofprints of Wyndburgh (1957, 1958) and Highland Wedding (1966, 1967, 1969).
Runners
- 1. Mr Vango – SP: 17/2, Trainer: Mrs Sara V Bradstock, Jockey: David Bass
- 2. Anglers Crag – SP: 4/1J, Trainer: Nicky Richards, Jockey: Danny McMenamin
- 3. Only The Bold – SP: 18/1, Trainer: Jamie Snowden, Jockey: Jonathan Burke
- 4. Val Dancer – SP: 15/2, Trainer: Mel Rowley, Jockey: Charlie Hammond
- 5. Dom Of Mary – SP: 13/2, Trainer: James Owen, Jockey: James Davies
- 6. Livin On Luco – SP: 5/1, Trainer: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White, Jockey: Callum Pritchard
- 7. Fortunate Man – SP: 4/1J, Trainer: Jonjo & A J O’Neill, Jockey: Richie McLernon
- 8. Whistle Stop Tour – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore, Jockey: Patrick Wadge
- 9. Red Delta – SP: 15/2, Trainer: Fiona Needham, Jockey: Charlie Maggs
- 10. Knockanore – SP: 22/1, Trainer: Ryan Potter, Jockey: Freddie Mitchell
Non-Runners
All ran.