Sponsors Fear Deluge On Rain

Sponsors totesport are taking no chances on a topical success at Newcastle on Saturday, with Charlie Swan's Teeming Rain installed as 5-1 clear favourite for the marathon Eider Chase.

The lightly-raced eight-year-old has a progressive profile, finishing third in the Pierse Leopardstown Chase in January before winning the Grand National Trial, a race run in thick fog at Punchestown.

The popular trainer and former jockey has not given up on What A Native either, although he was a well-beaten 15th in the same race at Leopardstown, and he could also make the journey to Gosforth Park.

'Teeming Rain has a chance of running, although I have not seen the runners yet,' reported County Tipperary-based Swan.

'What A Native is also in the Bobbyjo Chase on the same day, but I could run the both of them.

'I won the Eider a few years ago with This Is Serious and Teeming Rain is quite similar. He's improving, jumps and stays well and might be a National horse one day, as he won the trial a couple of weeks ago.

'What A Native is a good horse ? he won the Leopardstown Chase last year, but has just been a bit frustrating.

'He has gone up in the handicap, but ran a good race in the Paddy Power over Christmas when he was not beaten far. I just think I ran him again a bit quick after that.'

The four-mile-one-furlong Eider has attracted 23 other entries ? four of those coming from Ferdy Murphy, who has the choice of saddling Underwriter, Nine De Sivola, Hot Weld and Aces Four.

(C) PA Sport