A typically competitive field of 18 assembled for this marathon affair. The Mark Walford-trained Choosethenews was the choice of punters on the day, having caught the eye when staying on for second over 2m7½f at this track in January. The four-timer-seeking O’Connell came next for the recently formed Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith training duo; up 19lb in the handicap since the start of the season, he sought to add the Eider to his Lincolnshire National success.
Others proving popular in the market included the JP McManus-owned Ilikedwayurthinkin, who showed a liking for this track when scoring over 3m6f in November 2024, Lord Roco, who finished just behind Chooosethenews in that January event, and 2024 champ Anglers Crag, who had a four-pound higher mark to defy this time around.
Moving further down the list, Egbert had bounced back to form in the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase on his most recent outing; Major Dundee was two pounds lower than winning the Midlands Grand National in 2023, and Knockanore looked interesting as he stepped up dramatically in trip.
Result
- 1st – Knockanore 16/1, Jockey: Freddie Mitchell, Trainer: Ryan Potter
- 2nd – O’Connell 7/1, Jockey: Peter Kavanagh, Trainer: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith
- 3rd – Passing Well 10/1, Jockey: Gavin Sheehan, Trainer: Jamie Snowden
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £41,624
- 2nd – £19,136
- 3rd – £9,568
- 4th – £4,784
- 5th – £2,392
- 5th – £1,192
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £17.10
- Tote Places – 1st – £4.30, 2nd – £2.50, 3rd – £3
- Exacta – £221.40
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £124.71
- Trifecta – £2807.40
- Tricast – £1215.44
Recap
Drama unfolded before the start, as defending champ Anglers Crag opted to unship his rider and set off on his own. The errant gelding was soon caught, but with his withdrawal, we were guaranteed a new name on the trophy in 2025.
Once underway, the enigmatic Bretney set off as though tackling a mile event on the level, rather than a 4m1½f slog, and quickly opened up a four-length advantage over the top weight Collectors Item and the well-fancied Ilikedwayurthinkin. Already around 15 lengths between first and last as the field approached the second fence.
Moving past the winning post for the first time, Bretney continued to lead, followed by Ilikedwayurthinkin, Collectors Item, and Prince Des Fichaux. Favourite Choosethenews was quietly ridden against the rail in midfield, with Chemical Warfare, O’Connell, and Gaboriot amongst those deliberately held up towards the rear. Most of the field travelled nicely enough at this stage, with the exceptions of Egbert, who required more encouragement than most, and History Of Fashion, who repeatedly jumped out to his right.
Approaching the turn for home second time around, the complexion of the race began to change. Hindered by a couple of jumping errors, Bretney began to drop back through the field, leaving 2024 runner-up Prince Des Fichaux and Collectors Item to take up the baton of making the running. Ilikedwayurthinkin and Sporting Ace sat on the heels of that duo, followed by Choosethenews and Knockanore, who began to catch the eye around three off the rail.
Seventeen runners set out on the final circuit, but only eight would complete the course. Bretney was the first to go when pulled up before the 16th, followed by Bodhisattva, who unseated his rider at the 17th. At the head of affairs, Prince Des Fichaux, a briefly revitalised Egbert, and Ilikedwayurthinkin began to increase the pace approaching the home turn.
Moving into the straight, those in behind began to make their moves. O’Connell appeared dangerous as he quickly made up ground from the rear, whilst Passing Well was more vigorously ridden but responding. However, it soon became clear that Knockanore was travelling by far the best.
Approaching the third last, the mount of Freddie Mitchell burst between O’Connell and Egbert to take the lead. And from there, it was all over, with the eight-year-old pouring it on in the final couple of furlongs to score by a widening 16 lengths. O’Connell plodded on for second, with Passing Well taking advantage of Egbert’s final fence fall to grab third.
A first Eider Chase for the relatively small Herefordshire operation of Ryan Potter, and a spectacular debut at Newcastle Racecourse for claiming jockey, Freddie Mitchell, who registered the biggest win of his career to date.
Runners
- 1. Collectors Item – SP: 11/1, Trainer: Jonjo & A J O’Neill, Jockey: Jack Hogan
- 2. O’Connell – SP: 7/1, Trainer: Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith, Jockey: Peter Kavanagh
- 3. Egbert – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Alan King, Jockey: Tom Cannon
- 4. History Of Fashion – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Pat Fahy, Jockey: Harry Sexton
- 5. Anglers Crag – Non-runner
- 6. Ilikedwayurthinkin – SP: 8/1, Trainer: Ben Haslam, Jockey: Richie McLernon
- 7. Passing Well – SP: 10/1, Trainer: Jamie Snowden, Jockey: Gavin Sheehan
- 8. Major Dundee – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Alan King, Jockey: Brian Hughes
- 9. Gaboriot – SP: 11/1, Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero, Jockey: Henry Brooke
- 10. Your Own Story – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Lucinda Russell, Jockey: Patrick Wadge
- 11. Bretney – SP: 66/1, Trainer: Henry Daly, Jockey: Alice Stevens
- 12. Choosethenews – SP: 5/1F, Trainer: Mark Walford, Jockey: Jamie Hamilton
- 13. Bodhisattva – SP: 10/1, Trainer: John C McConnell, Jockey: Alex Harvey
- 14. Sporting Ace – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Neil King, Jockey: Jack Quinlan
- 15. Knockanore – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Ryan Potter, Jockey: Freddie Mitchell
- 16. Chemical Warfare – SP: 22/1, Trainer: David Pipe, Jockey: Jack Tudor
- 17. Lord Roco – SP: 8/1, Trainer: James Ewart, Jockey: William Maggs
- 18. Prince Des Fichaux – SP: 28/1, Trainer: Ewan Williams, Jockey: Sean Quinlan
Non-Runners
Anglers Crag (withdrawn, unseated jockey and loose before start)