Key Points
- My betting tip is very well handicapped based on last season’s form
- He was previously viewed as a Scottish Grand National horse
- His trainer has won the race before, so he knows the type of horse that can win it
Today we have six meetings to work with. Four jumps meetings at Kempton, Newcastle, Fairyhouse (subject to inspection) and Chepstow. The remaining two are Lingfield and Chelmsford on the AW. Today’s selection comes in the Eider Chase over 4m 1.5f up at Newcastle, and I am shocked that this horse is priced at 22/1.
If you’re just reading an article of mine for the first time, I’m Gav, better known as RacingGav on X/Twitter. I’m the resident horse racing expert here and I publish several articles each week for this site. These are predominantly
free horse racing tips, whether that be on the day (like this one) or antepost. I also produce other types of articles such as big race trends, educational guides and more.
Every Saturday, I write two different articles. I have my main betting tip (this one) with a primary focus on long term profit and I also put together a
Lucky 15 bet
for the ITV Racing action, which is more for fun! This week’s Lucky 15 has selections from Warwick and Newbury and it’s already live, so make sure you take a look at that one!
Betting advice
- 14:43 Newcastle -
Whistle Stop Tour
@ 22/1 (3 places) -
1pt each way
bet365 are offering the best odds on Whistle Stop Tour!
It is simply fantastic value all round with bet365 when it comes to Whistle Stop Tour here in the Eider Chase. bet365 is offering the
best horse racing odds
across the market at 22/1. That alone is a reason to back him there, but the excellent new customer offer only strengthens the case. If you bet £10, you’ll get £30 of free bets. It’s definitely worth signing up if you don’t already have an account.
Can Whistle Stop Tour land this £80,000 handicap?
There are multiple reasons why I like the chances of Whistle Stop Tour in the Eider Chase up at Newcastle. In this article, I’ll breaking them all down for you.
Last season Whistle Stop Tour started his campaign off with a third placed finish over 2m 4.5f on Good ground off a mark of 124 when going off favourite. Stepping up to trips of circa 3m and switching to Soft ground, on his second and third runs, he landed back to back wins off marks of 124 and 130. After the second of those wins, Whistle Stop Tour was rated 137.
Whistle Stop Tour has subsequently struggled off that increased mark and similar figures. However, as a result his mark has been dropping. His runs this season also include two efforts over hurdles where he has run very respectable races to finish second and third, beaten just 1.25 lengths. These runs show that the engine remains and now it is time to show it over fences again.
I had hoped that the step up to 3m 5f on Soft at Lingfield in the Surrey National Handicap Chase last time out would have shown him in a stronger light. However, despite running well for a long way, he weakened from three out and faded out of contention. That said, he went for wind surgery the following month, suggesting they felt his breathing was the issue there.
Whistle Stop Tour is now down to a mark of just 125 but with Mr Vango racing in here off 154, he is 3lb out of the handicap and he is running off 128. However, even that increased mark still sees him sitting 2lb below his last winning mark, so he is certainly handicapped to strike here!
Whistle Stop Tour was previously viewed as a Scottish Grand National horse and even one for the big one at Aintree
When Whistle Stop Tour won at Ayr in January of last year, joint owner Sean Tracey commented on how he is a really progressive seven year old. He then went on to say:
“There's the 3m 6f novice handicap chase at Cheltenham, there's a nice race at Uttoxeter soon after or there's always the Scottish National back here. Our dream though would be the 2026 Grand National”
This shows how much they think of him, especially as they are considering the Grand National.
Whistle Stop Tour was sent off a short as 12/1 for the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham before his chance was ruined at the start of the race. That was off a mark of 136 as well! Sadly it hasn't happened for him so far this season but with a mark of 125, it is surely just a matter of time until he strikes. Even off 128 from out of the handicap here, he looks well treated.
On his previous form and his current mark alone, he’d have a huge chance. However, he could improve plenty for this step up in trip too. He has always shaped like he could enjoy these marathon trips and been talked about as one for these sorts of races. He did disappoint at Lingfield last time with that in mind over a trip of 3m5f but the subsequent wind surgery suggests that wasn’t his true running. The slower pace over this trip could massively help his jumping which has been sketchy at times and I think he’ll stay all day.
His trainer has won the race before, so he knows what type of horse is required to succeed here
Michael Scudamore has won the Eider Chase before back in 2017 with a horse called Mysteree. That same horse was 4th in the race the year prior when under the care of Lucinda Russell and he was beaten just a neck in second in 2019 when looking to regain his crown. Therefore, Michael Scudamore knows what type it takes to win this race and it looks an ideal opportunity for Whistle Stop Tour.
Both Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore are fantastic when it comes to training National types too. Michael Scudamore won the Welsh Grand National with Monbeg Dude who also placed in the Aintree Grand National. Lucinda has then won the big one at Aintree twice in recent years. She first won the race in 2017 with One For Arthur and then she won the race again in 2023 with Corach Rambler. Therefore, this horse is in the right hands.
Also whilst he has been disappointing so far this season, he is still only an eight-year-old. Therefore, time is on his side. Especially in this type of marathon trip race where older horses can excel. The latest winner of the race - Knockanore was an eight-year-old and the vast majority of recent winners have been nine. I think we could see a different horse over these marathon trips and he could really come into his element here.
Can Whistle Stop Tour land Michael Scudamore another Eider Chase?
There are a lot of positives for Whistle Stop Tour in the 2026 Eider Chase in my eyes. He is certainly handicapped to win judged on his fantastic form last season. Even from 3lb out of the handicap, he still remains below his last winning mark. The stable and his owners have previously spoken about him as a horse for these marathon trip chases and I really believe they could be the making of him. The stable know what they’re talking about as well given their record in the top marathon chases. The wind surgery could also help him unlock his potential and he also wears a first time tongue tie along with cheekpieces. It is also worth noting that in his three chase starts this season, he has carried 11st 11lb, 11st 1lb and 11st 7lb but today he has just 10st 2lb on his back, he’ll think he’s running loose!
In terms of negatives, he has gone the wrong way since his win in January 2025 and his mark has dropped from 137 to 125 for good reason. However, that said, he has had excuses in a few of those races. Therefore, we are gambling on him bouncing back to form rather than continuing the decline. Also whilst he shapes like the marathon trip will suit and he’s been talked about as the type of horse for these races, he still has to prove his stamina will hold out over this extreme trip, as he could simply fail to stay it. Finally the stable form was a huge worry with just one winner recorded from 62 runners in January. It looked like that poor run of form could continue in early February but they have hit three winners since, so hopefully the tide is turning!
We then have the 22/1 odds. To me, this looks a huge price, even considering the risks attached. Although I would usually lean towards reducing the stake down, I just think there is so much value in Whistle Stop Tour at 22/1 that I’m going to play the full 1pt each way here. That may come back to bite me but he who dares..!
Check out these great offers!
Below you can find the fantastic
betting offers for horse racing
that our partner bookmakers have available. There are some great deals currently, so it’s worth taking a closer look!
Want more RacingGav content? Join my Discord!
While I produce several articles per week for Betting.co.uk, the vast majority of my content is exclusive to members of my Discord server. It’s the only place where you can access all of my betting tips and much more!
The Discord launched back in January 2024 and it’s still going now, so I must be doing something right!
February 2026 has been a great month, with six winners on the board already at 14/1, 7/4, 10/3, 3/1, 7/4, 11/4 and 7/1!
I’m sure you are wondering how much all of this will cost you? Well, it’s just £14.99 per month - less than 50p per day!
Alternatively, you may prefer a longer-term commitment for savings:
- Quarterly: £34.99 (saves £9.98)
- Bi-Annually: £74.99 (saves £14.95)
- Annually: £149.99 (saves £29.89)
I’m so confident that you’ll enjoy the Discord that I offer
a 7-day free trial. And I’m also confident that my tips will make a profit, so if you join and don’t make a profit across your first 30 days, I’ll refund your subscription fee!
If you want to know more, my DMs are always open on X – @RacingGav
The latest sports news with betting.co.uk
The latest sports news with betting.co.uk
The latest sports news with betting.co.uk
The latest sports news with betting.co.uk
