The feature race at Newcastle on Saturday is the Eider Chase, a Grand National trial and historic handicap run over a stamina sapping 4m 1f (14:45).
Calipso Collonges ran very well when runner-up last time out, so looks worth a punt at 7/1 with Betway to go one better and land the spoils.
That came in the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock where the Olly Murphy trained eight-year-old stayed on well from off the pace to be beaten 14 lengths by Lord Du Mesnil off a mark of 127.
Although no match for the easy winner, Calipso Collonges stuck to the task gamely and pulled seven lengths clear of the third home Vintage Clouds.
That one went on to land the Grade 2 Peter Marsh at the same venue next time up.
Lord Du Mesnil, who Calipso Collonges met on level weights, also went on to bolt up next time out in the Last Fling at Haydock.
He then ran very well off 20lb higher when runner-up in the Grand National Trial on Merseyside. That gives the form a rock solid look in relation to the Eider Chase.
It also suggests that a 3lb rise in the weights to 130 for Calipso Collonges is more than fair. That is 3lb higher than when the son of Crossharbour was last successful.
He also finished a fine second off his revised rating 12 months ago at Ludlow. The way in which Calipso Collonges finished off that race also gives hope that the step up in trip here will suit.
Other pluses are that Fergus Gregory, who has won twice in four starts on him, also takes off a handy 3lb with his claim and Calipso Collonges has a 50 per cent strike rate on testing ground.
Over To Sam a fascinating contender for Fry
Over To Sam is set to be the first-ever runner at Newcastle for trainer Harry Fry and looks a fascinating contender, given his lightly-raced and unexposed profile.
This nine-year-old has only had five starts, winning twice, and comes into the race on the back of a taking success in a four-runner contest over an extended 3m 1f at Plumpton.
Over To Sam raced wide and jumped left at times but, after taking up the running two from home travelling well, only had to be ridden out to readily account for Virginia Chick by 1 3/4 lengths.
He had the hat-trick seeking Sussex National winner Christmas In April a further length behind in third and is set to meet that rival on just 3lb worse terms.
As Colin Tizzard’s charge is far more exposed, Over To Sam is fully expected to come out on top once again.
The assessor also appears to have been kind in raising the son of Black Sam Bellamy just 3lb. A revised rating of 135 for Over To Sam could well underestimate his ability.
Both his successes have also come on soft ground and he appeals as the type that should have plenty more to offer
At odds of 9/1 with Ladbrokes. then, Over To Sam makes plenty of appeal from an each-way punting perspective in a wide-open renewal of the Eider Chase.
Hugo ‘N Taz another with a shout in Eider Chase
In a race where a case can be made for plenty, Hugo ‘N Taz is another that looks a big player on just his second start for trainer David Pipe.
This nine-year-old, who was formerly with Denis Hogan when trained in Ireland, made a winning start for Pond House handler Pipe when landing the class 3 Lincolnshire National over an extended 3m 3f at Market Rasen in December.
After being held-up in the nine-runner field, Hugo ‘N Taz made stealthy headway to chase the leaders four from home.
He was the produced to take up the running approaching the final fence and stayed on strongly on the run-in to readily account for Cyclop by four lengths off a mark of 112.
The front two pulled nine lengths clear of the third home Boric and Hugo ‘N taz has nothing to fear from the re-opposing Very First Time, who was beaten a total of 19 lengths in fourth.
It was by far a career-best performance from the son of Kayf Tara following a wind-op and one which suggested there were more races to be won with him.
An 8lb rise in the weights makes things tougher in this higher grade class 2 affair, but Pipe has done well with similar types and looks to have found the key to Hugo ‘N Taz.
Pipe has also been back among the winners of late and boasts an impressive overall strike rate of 23 per cent with his rare runners at this venue.
So, taking everything into account, Hugo ‘N Taz looks sure to make a bold bid to follow-up and can be backed at 7/1 with BetVictor to do just that.
