ANGLERS CRAG was given a great ride by Henry Brooke to land the Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle on Saturday (24 February 2024), his fourth consecutive win since arriving in our yard in September 2023.
Attempting 4m1½f and 24 fences for the first time – his three previous wins ranging from 2m7½f to 3m2f – Anglers Crag didn’t make it easy for Henry throughout, then looked to have thrown his chance away with a bad mistake at the second last. However, he rallied back approaching the final fence and popped it well, staying on gamely up the run in to get past the eventual second Prince Des Fichaux close home. The winning margin a neck. The pair pulled six-and-a-half lengths clear of the third horse home.
Talking to David Carr of the Racing Post, Henry said: “He missed two out, when he was going really well, and he’s done very well to get back up and win the race. But the other horse had blinkers on and I knew if I could get past him, I’d stay there and beat him.”
Brian said: “It was some ride because he’s not easy, he was tanking along and then dropping it and he has his own way of jumping. I said to Henry he won’t ride a better race this season!
“I thought it was over when he made that mistake. It was a bit like Sam’s Adventure, he made a mistake and came back and won and that went through my mind straight away.” (Henry Brooke was also on board when Sam’s Adventure won the Eider in 2021.)
“I said he was the best horse in the race, it was whether he got the trip. You don’t know until they run. This horse has got a lot of talent and he’ll probably improve again.
“It’s great to win this twice with two nice horses. I just need to win the Plate now!”
A cracking day! Huge congratulations to Derrick Mossop and all involved.
