The "Eider" is a marathon chase run over 4m 1.5f on heavy ground so it will “take getting”!

The two I like here are proven stayers Prime Venture and Petite Power who both relish testing going. In the end as Petite Power carries 6lbs less weight it is the Fergal O’Brien trained runner we get onside. Liam Harrison (7lb claimer) has ridden Petite Power all season looking well capable in the saddle. Petite Power is in the form of its life having won twice already this season and just narrowly beaten before Christmas.

The win on heavy ground at Uttoxeter catches the eye with Newcastle a similar course. The key bit of form though was in the Classic Chase at Warwick. Petite Power galloped on dourly to claim third place having been outpaced into the straight not helped by Darlac who fell in front of him at the fourth last fence. That was a truly run race where Captain Chaos set a very strong tempo up front jumping for fun.  This race represents a drop in class for Petite Power from Grade 3 to Class 2 handicap level. Fergal O'Brien has given him 42 days to recover from the Classic Chase taking a similar route to the 2019 Eider Chase winner Crosspark.