NEWCASTLE'S four-mile-and-one-furlong totesport Eider Chase represents a marathon made in heaven as far as Malek (3.35) is concerned.

Very few racehorses can keep galloping over such extremes distances, but Malek proved he's one of the exceptions to the rule with a famous victory over a similar trip in last year's Scottish Borders' National.

"Malek would have to have a very strong chance if reproducing the level of form he showed when beating Osmosis at Kelso," reported trainer Keith Reveley, who didn't totally discount one of his other runners, Robbo.

"Malek's done plenty of schooling and often goes very well following a break.

"I just hope he gets into a good early rhythm, which will help him ease his way into contention.

"Robbo was flying at the finish at Haydock last weekend and we've put a female jockey on his back for the time. It's an experiment, but you never really know with him," added the Lingdale handler.

Backers eyeing the proverbial handicap "good thing" in the Tyneside feature will doubtless be steaming into Martin Pipe's well-weighted Somerset raider Korelo, partnered by Timmy Murphy.

For sure Korelo is rated much higher over hurdles, however he lacks experience when it comes to jumping fences and even the master tactician Murphy might struggle to get the combination round in one piece.

Malek's rider, Richie McGrath, might also be on the money courtesy of Do L'Enfant d'Eau and Double Vodka (3.00) in the preceding couple of events.

Double Vodka, a chunky son of Russian Revival, was no slouch when in the care of Lynda Ramsden on the Flat, picking up a string of middle-distance races in the style of a useful individual.

Lynda's retirement meant Double Vodka had to move to new pastures which, in turn, led to a change of scenery for the five-year-old, who now resides at Chris Grant's Wolviston, near-Billingham, base.

Chris is already getting a decent tune out of the gelding, runner-up in a brace of red-hot Musselburgh contests, encouraging performances that hinted of better things to come once stepping into handicap grade.

On the other side of the Pennines, Brian Storey is camped at the village of Kirklinton, just north of Carlisle.

The hugely popular ex-jockey has the perfect pedigree to make an excellent trainer, a point already borne out to a certain extent by his good results from limited firepower.

Storey, who sent out General Duroc to collect at Sedgefield this week, could easily find himself back in the winners' circle with another of his inmates, Do L'Enfant d'Eau (2.25).

Onlookers could not fail to have been impressed by the way Storey's seven-year-old thumped a fair field at Ayr a fortnight ago. McGrath didn't need to get serious with his mount, always a good sign seeing as it leaves plenty of petrol for another day.

Sandown's meeting is under threat from frost, a factor that at least can't spoil what is a decent Flat card on Lingfield's polytrack.

One trainer from our region banking on not returning empty-handed is John Quinn, responsible for Crow Wood (3.40), a leading contender in the ten-furlong, £25,000 Winter Derby Trial.

Crow Wood, successful in a recent valuable handicap hurdle at Musselburgh, remains firmly poised for a crack at one of the big prizes on offer at next month's Cheltenham Festival.

Quinn feels today's return to the level will provide an ideal stepping stone en-route to Prestbury Park, a typically astute manoeuvre from a guy not renowned for making too many mistakes with his team.

Karl Burke's Ashes has equally decent prospects after missing the target by whisker over course and distance on Wednesday.

Ashes (4.10) was catching the winner, Tiviski, hand-over-fist in the closing stages, getting to within a head of her chief protagonist when the pair screamed past the line in virtual unison.

The pair lock horns for the second time this week in the Fillies Handicap, a six-furlong cavalry charge in which Karl's mare should, by rights, get her revenge on 7lbs better terms.

Get more racing online at www.racing-north.co.uk.