FREEZING overnight temperatures threaten Newcastle's Tote Eider Northern National, but if the meeting does beat the frost Kit Smartie (3.35) has the right credentials to keep the £70,000 contest in the North-East for the first time since Jelupe was successful in 1990, writes Colin Woods.

Trained just outside Darlington at Redworth by Permit Holder Don Forster, Kit Smartie proved stamina was his long suit by claiming the Tim Molony Memorial Chase over an extended three and half miles at Haydock on November 30.

And Forster reports all is hunky-dory with his charge in preparation for the Tyneside marathon. "He's fine at the moment and has had a winter break since finishing fourth at Cheltenham in December," he said.

"Obviously, he's never been over four miles, but the way he won over three and a half miles at Haydock - when he sprinted home on soft ground - suggests he should stay further."

Due to the heavy ground, only a handful of the 12 runners facing the starter are likely to complete the gruelling test.

One thing is for certain, the presence of Martin Pipe's front-runner, Deano's Beeno, will ensure there's no hanging about once the tapes go up. His impressive catalogue of career victories includes the valuable Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot and, in addition, he won his only chase at Newbury just over three years ago.

His supporters will point to the fact he's a far better handicapped horse over fences off a rating of 140, compared to his less than favourable hurdles' mark of 157.

However, the problem with Deano's Beeno is a lack of experience of the bigger obstacles, making him risky over Gosforth Park's fearsome fences.

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