Eider Chase 2026 preview: Aworkinprogress heads a wide open market at Gosforth Park

Gosforth Park will stage one of its premier jump meetings of the season this weekend, as the 2026 Eider Chase takes place. 

It is the highlight of seven races on Saturday, February 21 and is seen as a key trial for the Grand National, at Aintree, in April.  

Just over four miles of Tyneside will see horses endure a gruelling stamina test and jump 24 scheduled fences, in search of a share of almost £70,000 in prize money. 

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Outstanding record over fences

This year’s renewal sees owner JP McManus’ Aworkinprogress head a wide open market at 6/1, as he looks to maintain an outstanding record over fences. 

The seven-year-old gelding has won six of his seven steeplechase races, which all came in various Handicap divisions. 

His latest victory saw him win a Class Three Handicap Chase over a 3.5 miles on soft ground at Lingfield, leaving no doubts about his stamina for this test. 

Emphatic defeat

However, his only defeat was an emphatic one and it came in a Class Two Handicap Chase on his penultimate start, when he was beaten 42 lengths by Jubilee Express – who is set to line up here. 

That win came in the middle of three starts for Jubilee Express so far this season, though the other two were very disappointing. 

Trainer Sam Thomas’ horse finished 10th of 16 on his seasonal return and was pulled up on his latest start back in December. 

He will be a threat to all in this race should he find the form of last year, having recorded respectable efforts in staying Handicap races – winning once. 

Jubilee Express is one of three horses priced at 8/1, with Anglers Crag and Livin On Luco given the same chance in the betting. 

The former won this race in 2024, for local trainer Brian Ellison, which was the latest of four consecutive Handicap Chase wins that year. 

He has since lost his way in higher Grade contests, failing to win any of his six subsequent starts, but finally got back to winning ways on his only outing so far this season. 

This run came at Carlisle back in November, on his first run for new trainer Nicky Richards. 

Bouncing back

Living On Luco won on Chase debut last season, before bouncing back to form with a placed-effort on his final run of the season, following two runs which saw him finish sixth and pulled up. 

He began this season with a win at Fontwell, before running a very respectable race behind Haiti Couleurs in Welsh Grand National. 

Transmission comes next for trainer Neil Mulholland and he is currently priced at 10/1 following a win on his latest start – for which he has been raised 7lb by the handicapper. 

It came after three unplaced efforts at the beginning of this season and he appeared to benefit from the step up to four miles. 

Showing form

Dom Of Mary, Git Maker, Guard The Moon and Knockanore make up the 14/1 chances in the betting, but they all show pieces of form. 

The former won over three miles and six furlongs at Newcastle back in November, following a placed effort at Kelso over three miles. 

Trainer James Owen’s horse has since finished sixth in the Welsh Grand National, which is his latest racecourse start.  

Git Maker drops in grade but goes back up in distance from his two runs this season, one of which he finished a close fifth at Haydock. 

He was pulled up in the Welsh Grand National but finished second in the 2024 Kim Muir – at the Cheltenham Festival – and third in the 2024 Scottish Grand National. 

Marathon trip

Guard The Moon will arrive here off the back of two wins from three Novice Chase Handicaps this season and will tackle this marathon trip for the first time. 

Last year’s winner Knockanore sprung a 16/1 surprise when he romped to a 16 length victory and he will arrive here looking to defend his title rated only 1lb higher. 

However, his record in six races since has been poor – despite some excuses regarding trip and grade. 

Of the others in the betting, Chasingouttheblues, Fortunate Man, Mr Vango and Val Dancer round out those priced at 20/1 or shorter. 

Chasingouttheblues has a decent record in Novice Handicap Chases, whilst Fortunate Man looks to be a very solid contender for trainer Jonjo O’Neil. 

He will look to carry McManus’ colours to victory once again, having done so at Aintree, on Boxing Day. 

Forecasted soft ground won’t be an issue and he placed second on his only start beyond three miles and two furlongs. 

Admirable record

Mr Vango has an admirable record, winning three times from three starts last season – all of which came in a higher grade than this. 

He ended last season with a second-placed run in the Grand National and will have no issue and won’t mind what the weather does, though he will have to defy top-weight to come out on top here. 

Val Dancer also looks set to run a solid race, having won five of his 15 starts over fences and finished third in last year’s Grand National.

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