Paddy primed for another Eider challenge

Ten-year-old ready to end three-year drought in handicap at Newcastle

SHOTGUN PADDY should have everything to his liking in the Betfred Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle.

The 10-year-old has not won for more than three years now but he is always thereabouts in marathon events such as this, so the handicapper has offered little respite.

He had no luck at Cheltenham on his seasonal bow as he was nearly taken out by a loose horse, but he enjoyed better fortune when third in the Classic Chase at Warwick last month.

Beaten 10 lengths by One For Arthur, Shotgun Paddy was caught for toe a bit in the finish, but a further 2lb ease in the ratings after that performance is certainly a bonus.

He loves cut in the ground and following Storm Doris, conditions at Newcastle will certainly be on the testing side. IRISH SAINT can take advantage of his falling mark by bagging the glory in the BetBright Chase at Kempton.

Rated 153 at the end of his novice season in 2014/15, Irish Saint boasts some excellent bits of form having finished fourth in the Ryanair and third in the Mildmay during that campaign.

Connections would obviously have been hoping he could kick on the following term, but Paul Nicholls was forced to rule him out for the entire campaign through injury and he only returned to the fray at Cheltenham in October.

Fifth over hurdles on that return, Irish Saint then fell short when upped to Listed company over three miles back over fences at Ascot and again at Sandown at the beginning of February.

It would be easy to say he just does not get three miles judged on those two runs, but if his stamina is to be eked out anywhere, Kempton would be the place. SELECTIONS: KEMPTON: 1.15 Lough Derg Leader, 1.50 Charli Parcs, 2.25 Frodon, 3.00 River Wylde, 3.35 IRISH SAINT (NAP), 4.10 Sir Note, 4.45 Irish Prophecy. NEWCASTLE: 1.35 Testify, 2.10 Teo Vivo, 2.45 Shotgun Paddy, 3.20 Zamdy Man, 3.55 The Nipper, 4.30 Ballybolley, 5.05 Carlos Du Fruitier. DOUBLE: Irish Saint and Shotgun Paddy.