16th February 2026 – A total of 19 entries have been made for the £80,000 Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Eider Handicap Chase, with the improving young chaser Aworkinprogress aiming to back up his win in the Surrey National at Lingfield last time out.
Trainer Nick Gifford has never won this marathon contest but his JP McManus-owned 7-year-old has thrived since being sent chasing winning all but one of his seven starts over the larger obstacles.
Previous winners Anglers Crag and Knockanore have both been entered. The former won this in 2024, and made an impressive winning stable debut for Nicky Richards on his sole start this campaign back in November. The latter won last year’s renewal of the Eider by 16-lengths and is now just 1lb above the mark he won off that day.
The well-fancied Jubilee Express was pulled up when sent off favourite in the Coral Welsh Grand National last time out. Clearly there was better expected of him that day and he would be foolish to write off after a short break if declared.
The Philip Hobbs and Johnson Whyte-trained Livin On Luco was fourth in the aforementioned Welsh Grand National in December, while James Owen’s Dom Of Mary finished just behind him in sixth place. That form has since been boosted by the winner Haiti Couleurs.
Guard The Moon returned to winning ways back on more suitable ground when scoring by just over three-lengths at Windsor last time. The 8-year-old has had just the three starts over fences and could improve again upped to this 4m1f trip for the first time.
Prior to being pulled-up at Sandown when last seen, Mr Vango had been a model of consistency winning a variety of top staying handicap chases. He would be a big player for Sara Bradstock if declared to make the long journey to Gosforth Park.
Latest Eider Handicap Chase odds: Aworkinprogress 5/1f, Jubilee Express 6/1, Anglers Crag 8/1, Livin On Luco 8/1, Dom Of Mary 12/1, Guard The Moon 12/1, BAR 14/1
About Newcastle Racecourse
Located within High Gosforth Park, Newcastle Racecourse is home to the historic Northumberland Plate, and is one of Britain’s busiest racecourses, hosting over 60 all-weather and jumps fixtures a year. An ideal venue for all occasions, the racecourse can host events of all kinds, including conferences, exhibitions, weddings, private parties and more. The racecourse shares High Gosforth Park with the Border Minstrel Pub and Parklands Golf Club.
For further information please contact:
Sam Cone, Arena Racing Company on 07920 404296 or SCone@arenaracingcompany.co.uk
Hugo Barran, JSC Communications on 07786 913215 or hugo@jsccomms.co.uk
