Tarquinius just missed out in the Thyestes last month but Gordon Elliott hopes the grey can go one better at Newcastle today in the marathon Eider Chase.

Elliott isn’t too happy with the Irish raider having to carry a big weight yet insists the four miles plus trip will be to the advantage of his horse.

“He came to us rated 100 over fences and he’s rated 136 now. The handicapper must think we have worked a miracle or something, but he’s going there with an each-way chance,” Elliott said.

“Had he jumped the third-last better he might have won – he got beat a head . He clouted that fence, but he’s an honest little horse and he jumps and he stays. He’s very slow, but I wouldn’t mind having a few more slow ones like him!” he added.

There was Irish success in last year’s Eider when Portrait King won in a tight finish.