When the going gets tough, the tough get going – and none are tougher than Giles Cross in this afternoon’s valuable stamina test at Newcastle.

The £30,000 totesport.com Eider Chase, run over four miles and one furlong, will take place on heavy ground at a course where an 8am inspection is planned, owing to the fear of overnight rain.

It was raceable at Newcastle yesterday, though, and officials are optimistic the meeting will go ahead as planned.

Denis O’Regan takes the mount on Giles Cross, who is certainly familiar to similar marathon contests. Last March, the gelding finished second to Synchronized in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter and in January of this year he chased home the same horse in the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow.

Synchronized is not in today’s field, which is good news for Giles Cross, who is overdue a big race victory.

Keith Reveley has his horses in great heart and the Saltburn handler has double prospects with Categorical and Night In Milan.

The former has not run since finishing third at Aintree in November, but Reveley is a dab hand at bringing horses back after a break and Categorical is a previous winner over this course and distance. He is expected to go well in the opening totesport.com Handicap Chase.

Night In Milan runs in the totesport.com Handicap Hurdle and comes into the race on the back of a recent course victory.

Although he won by only half a length that day, he travelled through the race like easily the best horse and it would be no surprise to see him follow up off his revised handicap rating.

James Reveley, who has the mount on both his father’s runners, also has a winning chance aboard Tyrone House in the Play Poker At tspoker.com Novices’ Chase.

John Wade’s seven-year-old has been in progressive form lately, winning his last two races at Sedgefield and Musselburgh. A hat-trick could be on the cards.

The best of tomorrow’s jumping action comes from Fontwell where Tony McCoy has an outstanding chance of winning the featured totesport.com National Spirit Hurdle, which carries prize money of £32,500, not to mention Grade 2 status.

McCoy partners Karabak, a classy horse, trained by Alan King, who won the Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham in December.

He was a little disappointing when only fourth to Oscar Whisky at Cheltenham the following month, but King’s horses are bursting with good health at present and Karabak is napped to bounce back to form.

Malton-born jockey Andrew Tinkler, who rode a double for Nicky Henderson at Doncaster earlier this week, rides Lord Ragnar for his Lambourn boss in the Play Poker At tspoker.com Novices’ Chase.

Runner-up to Massini Man at Ffos Las last time out, Lord Ragnar is now equipped with first-time blinkers. The headgear may well have the required effect.


Racing selections

Newcastle (today)
1.40 Categorical, 2.15 Night In Milan, 2.45 Battle Group, 3.15 Giles Cross, 3.50 Bollin Felix, 4.25 Tyrone House, 5.00 The Tracey Shuffle.

Today’s meetings:
Chepstow, Kempton and Lingfield.

Fontwell (tomorrow)
2.10 Vico, 2.40 Lord Ragnar, 3.10 Rateable Value, 3.45 Karabak (NAP), 4.15 Herons Well,4.45 Just The Job, 5.15 Destroyer Deployed.

Tomorrow’s other meeting:
Towcester.