Saturday 26 February · Newcastle, England
15:15 Vertem Eider Handicap Chase (GBB Race)
- Distance
- 4m 1f 56y
- Going
- Good to Soft (Good in places)
- Class
- 2
- Prize
- GBP 80000
- Runners
- 16
Race preview
Eclair Surf made virtually all the running to score in the Classic Chase at Warwick so an extra 4f shouldn't be too much of an issue, though a 10lb hike for that win might stop him. Domaine De L'Isle ran a solid enough race over timber last time and has every chance in this judged by his placed effort in the Becher Chase at Aintree, but no horse has carried more than 11-1 to win since 2012, so COURT MASTER gets the vote. An easy winner of a three-runner affair over 3m here last time, Michael Scudamore's charge is only 2lb higher in this and could be better for this marathon trip. Down Royal scorer History Of Fashion has every chance if he stays this far, while Checkitout won after being slightly outpaced over 3m3f at Fontwell and could be better in cheekpieces and with this longer distance.