This Saturday, Newcastle racecourse will stage the annual running of the Eider Chase which is run over a marathon distance of 4m 1f. The race, which at one point in time was renamed the “Northern National” is regarded by some trainers and owners as the ideal prep race for the actual Grand National at Aintree in just under two months time.

Due to the time of year the race takes place, the conditions more often than not tend to be testing, providing a unique stamina contest for the horses and jockeys alike. Invariably over the years the trends tend to point to about half the field failing to complete the race and on many occasions there are single digit finishers. It isn’t always the prettiest of races to watch for those very reasons.

As recently as 2008 David Pipe saddled Comply Or Die to do the Eider-Grand National double so it just proves that a horse can come out of this race perfectly fine and run an equally good race at Aintree.

Horses entered this weekend that also have a Grand National entry are: Milansbar, Houblon Des Obeaux and Chase The Spud.

Other notable entries include the 2017 Eider Chase runner-up Knockanrawley and 2014 Welsh Grand National winner Emperor’s Choice.

Interesting Runners

The seven-year-old Vinnie Lewis was an easy winner at Plumpton last time out over 3m4f in heavy ground so stepping up to this 4m trip is no forlorn hope. He has taken a 9lb rise for that victory but has had almost 50 days to recover.

Vinnie Lewis recorded an easy win on soft ground at Sedgefield in November before following up on heavy ground at Plumpton last month under Harry Bannister.

His trainer, Harry Whittington, hopes the testing conditions will help his Sussex National winner take another step forward and defy a 23lb rise based on his previous exertions.

The top-weighted Chase The Spud is known for his staying prowess and despite being pulled-up in the Welsh National last time out he was a good winner of the Midlands National last season. Fergal O’Brien’s 10-year-old is one of the few proven distance winners in the field with there being question marks over plenty of the others. Worryingly however he is a massive 19lbs higher than his Midlands National win and 10lbs higher than his Haydock victory in November and this may prove just too much of an anchor off a mark of 149.

Neil King and Bryony Frost will maintain their partnership with Milansbar on Saturday.

The pair teamed up to win the Classic Chase at Warwick last time out when the reinvigorated eleven-year-old galloped his rivals into submission.

Four miles in heavy ground should be perfect and the race looks tailor-made for him. Milansbar has been second in a Midlands National so he should stay out the trip perfectly well.

Despite a 9lb rise and Frost’s claim dropping by 2lb since that January success, the pair look like being major contenders.

West Of The Edge ran over hurdles on his first two outings this season before a career-best effort when three and a half lengths second to the front-running Emperor's Choice at Haydock last time out.

Out of the top class jumps sire Westerner, West Of The Edge is a fantastic jumper and stays all day long. He won the Lincolnshire National in 2015 by sixlengths, forging clear jumping the last and could easily have gone round again. He is now trained by Dr Richard Newland who is hitting top form at the moment.

Themanfrom Minella ground out a hard fought win in the Higos Insurance Services Somerset National at Wincanton last time out, following up on his victory at Warwick.

With just 10st to carry on Saturday he will be hard to ignore but whether he is quite up to the grade remains to be seen.

Baywing is another who looks the type to excel in a race such as this. He plenty of heavy ground form, clocking up a four-time in the mud in his 2015/16 season. He ran well in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby on Boxing Day, and probably ran over an inadequate trip at this venue last time out.

Ryan Day takes of 3lb and the nine-year-old should put up a good show for his trainer Nicky Richards.

Sue Smith’s Hainan and Smooth Stepper will prove popular choices on the day with Hainan being of the most interest.

Hainan was last seen when finishing third in the Peter Marsh Chase at Haydock and on that occasion had Yala Enki behind him. Yala Enki subsequently went on to frank that form in the Grand National Trial last Saturday.

Smooth Stepper can handle heavy ground but appears to need plenty of encouragement over a sustained amount of time in these marathon contests.

Verdict

Nine to eleven-year-olds have won eight of the last ten renewals of this race so siding with an older, more experienced horse, could be the key.

Milansbar is having his second lease of life after a spell in the doldrums and his jockey seems to be making all the difference to his wellbeing.

888sport suggests: Milansbar (e/w)

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

Europa League football can slip under the radar from time to time but that should not be the case. Europe's secondary competition was brilliant last week, thanks to some great matchups and several of Europe’s biggest sides appearing.

The second legs are, in some places, delicately poised ahead of Thursday night. So let's take a look at some of those second legs in this piece…

Atalanta vs Borussia Dortmund

The last-gasp 3-2 victory at home for Borussia Dortmund puts this tie in the balance. That match was the tie of the round as Michy Batshuayi starred again. Leaving the hostile Dortmund atmosphere, though, Atalanta are far from out of this with two away goals to their name.

The hosts’ 1-1 draw with Fiorentina at the weekend is hardly the perfect springboard coming into this clash. Despite dominating possession, chances were almost non-existent for Atalanta. While Dortmund won away at Monchengladbach, their performance was equally underwhelming. Perhaps that’s just the Europa League impact.

I think this is once again the match to watch. A narrow home win should secure progression for the Italian club, while Dortmund’s defensive issues mean we are unlikely to see them sit deep and try to avoid defeat.

TIP: Over 2.5 goals @ 8/15

Villarreal vs Lyon

Memphis Depay put Lyon in control of this tie with his late goal to make it 3-1 in France. Villarreal still have a fighting chance of progression if they can tighten things up defensively, but they have not kept a clean sheet in over a month.

via GIPHY

Three La Liga matches without a win have put The Yellow Submarine down to sixth. Form at home in the Europa League is not good either. Lyon, though, are on a poor run themselves – they have one point from 12 available in Ligue 1 – and have been leaking goals on the road.

At 2/11 to progress, there’s little value in backing Lyon to simply make it through. I think the circumstances will force both teams to attack, however, which may see a very high-scoring encounter.  

TIP: Over 2.5 goals @ 3/5

Zenit St. Petersburg vs Celtic

Zenit are on the back foot after losing 1-0 in Scotland. Callum McGregor’s late goal puts Brendan Rodgers’ side at 8/13 to progress to the next round despite their poor record away from Celtic Park in European competition.

The hosts have won eight of 10 at home in this competition and did not have the extra challenge of league action at the weekend thanks to the Russian Premier League’s winter break. Goals are a necessity, but they have proven they have the firepower to blow sides away, particularly at home. Celtic's best bet may be to try and defend their slender lead...

They are the joint second-top scorers in the Europa League and have Emiliano Rigoni and Aleksandr Kokorin with five and six goals in the competition respectively. I fancy Zenit (3/5) to win on the night. It’ll be a close call whether it’s good enough to make it into the next round.

TIP: Zenit to win @ 3/5

Lokomotiv Moscow vs Nice

Nice looked to be cruising when they went 2-0 up in the first half-an-hour in the first leg. A red card for Racine Coly and three Lokomotiv Moscow goals have left the club from the south coast of France with a monumental task to qualify.

Lucien Favre must have been half-expecting the second half collapse from his side. Their recent form is awful, with just two Ligue 1 wins in 2018. Pair that with Lokomotiv’s seven-match winning streak and things are looking pretty bleak for the visitors in this contest.

Despite all the talent in this Nice side, I just cannot see them making the next round. It is too big an ask, even with their exciting front three. It’s worth backing them to find the net, but pulling off a turnaround will be a step too far.

TIP: Both teams to score @ 7/10

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*