Jass chasing Eider glory

Keith Reveley has top chances for another profitable weekend as Jass heads the Cleveland trainer’s charge at Newcastle.

Ungaro has claims in the Racing Post Chase at Kempton but the hat-trick seeking Jass could fare even better in a less-than-vintage looking totesport.com Eider at Newcastle.

Reveley’s son James takes a handy 3lb from Jass’ burden of joint-top weight 11st 12lb and the youngster has been on board for each of his last two victories at Ayr and in a £25,000 event at Doncaster at the end of January.

James is becoming a key member of a team which has really hit form after a slow time during much of the winter and was also able to steer Rambling Minster to a valuable success in the Blue Square Gold Cup at Haydock a week ago.

“They do seem to be in good form and we have had a bit of luck in the big Saturday races, hopefully it can continue,” said Keith Reveley.

“Jass has done nothing wrong and won a four-mile handicap last time. The handicapper has put him up 13lb for that win, and in very heavy ground, his weight would be a worry.

“But the horse is in great form and he and James seem to get on very well together, so we are hopeful of a good run.”

Joint top will be Nicky Richards’ Harmony Brig, but only 13 have been attracted to the £50,000 prize won a year ago by the subsequent Grand National hero Comply Or Die.

Richard Ford will have more than one reason to celebrate should his Chabrimal Minster do the business.

The Cheshire trainer has a tidy long-term bet riding on the Newcastle marathon, in which he has not been disgraced in the last two seasons.

Chabrimal Minster has won the Cartmel Grand Veterans Chase two years in a row but is lightly-raced despite his 12 years of age and has not been seen since falling when still in contention in the English Summer National last June.

“There has been nothing whatsoever wrong with him – he has been trained specifically for this race and it is his Gold Cup,” explained Tarporley-based Ford.

“He ran a blinder last year until he unseated Brian Hughes and was a creditable third the year before.

“The last two renewals have looked far stronger than this, the only worry is that often an improving younger horse can crop up, whereas we are going for it off a career-high handicap mark and I don’t think we were well treated by the handicapper for winning the race at Cartmel.

“He is training particularly well this year and I am certainly hoping Graham Lee can continue his good record with him, because a long time ago I backed him at 50-1 to win an Eider. That was even before he had jumped a fence in public!”

Middleham trainer Kate Walton relies on Morgan Be.

He takes a step into the unknown as his ready victory at Ayr last time was over the longest trip he has tried, but at three miles and a furlong, it is a full mile short of the distance at Gosforth Park.

“We have always thought he would be an out-and-out stayer,” said Walton.

“You never really know but hopefully the race will be run to suit. He seems in good form and what should be in his favour is the ground.

“He has form on heavy ground and I believe it will be horrible and testing at Newcastle. Hopefully he will like that.”