King and Glenquest in Eider mix Portrait King is among 24 horses to stand their ground at the confirmation stage for Saturday's Betfred Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle. Trained in Dublin by Pat Griffin, the 11-year-old won the marathon contest in 2012, but was a distant ninth last year and he finished sixth to Mountainous in the Coral Welsh National on his latest start. Glenquest, trained in County Antrim by Stuart Crawford, is the other entry standing their ground from across the Irish Sea. Ian Duncan reports last year's Eider winner Milborough to be ready to try to repeat his game success of 12 months ago when he held Summery Justice by a length and a half. However, he has failed to trouble the judge since then and has not run since being well beaten in the Rehearsal Chase at the Gosforth Park track in November. "The plan at the moment is go for the race again," said Ayrshire trainer Duncan. "The horse is in good form. He hasn't run since the beginning of December when he ran in the Rehearsal Chase. He had a couple of little issues around Christmas time, but he seems in good form now and I'm hoping he will run well." David Bridgwater's Wyck Hill, successful in 2014 but a faller last year, is again in the mix. The weights have gone up by 16lb at the five-day stage and are now headed by Shotgun Paddy. Emma Lavelle's stayer unseated his rider in this last February but was a fine third in the Welsh National last time. Russe Blanc, winner of the Classic Chase at Warwick last month, is set to bid to give rookie trainer Kerry Lee another big-race triumph in a long-distance handicap after Mountainous in the Welsh National and Bishops Road in the Betfred National Trial at Haydock. Summery Justice may try again, and his trainer Venetia Williams also has Emperor's Choice. The Philip Hobbs-trained Woodford County, third 12 months ago, may attempt to go two places better, while other entries include Warren Greatrex's Ballyculla, Nicky Richards' Cultram Abbey and Lackamon from Sue Smith's stable.
