NICKY Richards has had his staying chasers in good form this season, already winning a big Cheltenham handicap with Guitar Pete.

Things look even better now, 8/1 chance Baywing staying on really well for Ryan Day to master West Of The Edge in the valuable Betfred Eider Handicap Chase at Newcastle.

Again only a handful managed to complete the four miles and a furlong in heavy ground. Milansbar was a willing front-runner but the pack was closing on the turn for home. Hainan took over and seemed to be travelling quite strongly but this is a real marathon test and West Of The Edge loomed alongside and kicked for home.

He did nothing wrong but there was still time for Baywing and Day to challenge last of all and gallop four lengths clear. Portrait King plugged on to be third, 10 lengths adrift, with the willing Hainan and Milansbar, who will both need quite a long rest, fourth and fifth.

“The handicapper was quite hard on him after he won the Towton,” Richards said.

“I thought there might be a race like this in him and, although you never know until you try, I thought he’d stay all right.”

Richard Johnson was nursing Back To The Thatch along on the inner when the horse made a comprehensive error at the 16th and the partnership was severed.

There is a good handicap in Back To The Thatch if he recovers satisfactorily.