J P one, two in Eider Wyck Hill gamely held off Smoking Aces to win the Betfred Eider Chase at Newcastle and provide owner JP McManus with a notable one-two. Trained by David Bridgwater, Wyck Hill was bought almost a year ago to the day but was pulled up at Kempton Park after suffering an injury and has put in only one respectable run since, at the Punchestown Festival. Bridgwater searched for some assistance for him in the form of a tongue-tie and he travelled supremely well all the way for Tom Scudamore, only coming off the bridle after the last and holding the plugging on Smoking Aces by three-quarters of a length. Ballypatrick was third, with Safran De Cotte fourth. The trainer said of his 9-1 winner: "That was awesome. Tom knows him so well and he's seen out the trip well there. He's been given a chance by the handicapper and the Grand National will be the aim if he gets in. If he doesn't get in the National we'll take that, it was a big race today and it's great to win it. "That's my first winner for JP and having a horse for him is like getting the royal seal of approval. We might look at Punchestown again, but I'll have to talk to JP and Mr (Frank) Berry (racing manager) as they have so many horses it's difficult."
