16:05 Aintree

Friday 7 April 2017

All13:4014:2014:5015:2516:0516:4017:15

Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (National Course)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 5m 28.10s

Alelchi Inois²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-12| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 159

25/1

Grade 2 winner and runner-up in the Galway Plate last year. Classy sort, but pulled up last month at Cheltenham and has plenty of weight. Jockey/trainer combination however, will prove irresistible to many.

Form: 4-12131

Irish Cavalier²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-11| J: Paul Townend| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 158

33/1

Won Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby earlier this term but outclassed when pulled up behind Sizing John in Cheltenham Gold Cup latest. If he takes to the fences, he is feasibly handicapped assuming latest effort hasn't taken its toll.

Form: 1P35P0

Eastlake^p,t²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Geraghty| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 154

14/1

Won this race 12 months ago and likely to go well in his repeat bid. Races off a 10lb higher mark though this time which may make a double strike a tough ask, but has to be respected.

Form: 91-PP1P

O O Seven²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 154

12/1

Useful novice chaser and unusual that top trainer throws such a horse into this furiously competitive and unique race. Hard to rule out on that score and will have had plenty of practice over National fences at home.

Form: 218-213

Clarcam^p,t²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: B J Cooper| T: G Elliott| OR: 154

25/1

Run 17 times since finishing third in Grade 1 Melling Chase here 12 months ago. Loves Aintree and won Grade 1 Manifesto Chase here in 2015, runner-up in Grade 1 juvenile hurdle the year before. Every chance with a clear round.

Form: 252052

Third Intention^b,t²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: T J O'Brien| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 152

20/1

Landed Grade 2 chase on Mildmay track in October and not disgraced in dizzying cross country chase at Cheltenham last month. Wouldn't surprise to see him in the mix where it matters most.

Form: 65948F

Quite By Chance²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: T Scudamore| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 147

33/1

Better than finishing position suggests when down the field at Cheltenham last time over inadequate trip. This is more suitable and looks the type who might take to the spruce fences, especially with the sun on his back.

Form: 23-6124

Bouvreuil^h,t²²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 147

9/1

Classy sort who ran a cracker when third in hot handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month. Sound jumper who has never fallen, represents leading connections, and has to enter calculations.

Form: 1524-56

As De Mee⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-13| J: S Bowen| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 146

8/1

1lb lower than when seventh in this race last year. Put that experience to good use when landing the Grand Sefton Chase over C&D in December and clearly enjoys this special challenge. Looks sure to command plenty of market interest.

Form: 181P25

Bright New Dawn²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: L Treadwell| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 145

33/1

Handicapper is finally relenting and ran well until outpaced over minimum trip at Cheltenham last time. Step up in distance may suit but may find a few too good.

Form: 834343

Gold Present²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: J McGrath| T: N J Henderson| OR: 144

12/1

Massive run when close second in Listed novices handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival recently. Respected on that effort, although question as to whether that big run might have left its mark. Raised 5lb since but still enters the equation.

Form: 11/P60-1

Mr Diablo^t³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: L P Dempsey| T: J P Dempsey| OR: 144

16/1

Crosses the water from Ireland for first time in his career. Won with plenty in hand in good race at Leopardstown last month, appearing much improved for first time tongue-tie. Sound jumper so should go well once again.

Form: 23710B-

Thomas Brown^b⁹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-9| J: N P Madden| T: H Fry| OR: 142

20/1

Run well on all previous visits to Aintree including his win in decent handicap chase on Mildmay course in November. Certainly can't be ruled out if taking to this new challenge.

Form: 1U74-18

Ballykan^p,t²²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-9| J: D A Jacob| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 142

16/1

Solid effort at Cheltenham latest but didn't appear enamoured with these fences in last year's renewal and needs to do much better this time to figure. Better ground a positive though.

Form: 3456F4-

Henryville^h,t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: L P Aspell| T: H Fry| OR: 142

11/1

With the exception of the Foinavon fence he jumped well when third in the Grand Sefton Chase in December and is 8lb better off with As De Mee for 7L beating. Wasn't at all disgraced at Cheltenham last time.

Form: 4P3981-

Straidnahanna⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-8| J: Danny Cook| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 141

50/1

Stays all day but may find today's opposition going a little too quick for him on this decent surface. Others make more appeal on this occasion.

Form: P-481P0

Ultragold^t²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-5| J: Harry Cobden| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 138

50/1

Out of form this winter but looked on the way back when 9th over the minimum distance in hot handicap at Cheltenham latest. Back on same mark as when successful in decent event at Newbury in November.

Form: 512-651

Vintage Vinnie¹²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Jonathan Moore⁽³⁾| T: Miss R Curtis| OR: 138

16/1

Beaten 40L over C&D in December behind As De Mee and profile indicates he tends to run his best races in the autumn. Hard to see him getting involved at the business end of the contest.

Form: 113P87

Go Conquer^t1²⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-4| J: Aidan Coleman| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 137

9/1

Yard in decent form and ran very well when fifth in hot handicap at the Cheltenham Festival last month. Looks the type to do well faced with this challenge and one to seriously consider.

Form: 3/461-2F

Seefood^v³⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: R Johnson| T: Dr R D P Newland| OR: 137

8/1

Looked to relish the National fences when a fine runner-up in the Grand Sefton Chase over C&D in December. Only a 1lb higher here and top jockey booking very much catches the eye.

Form: 70F-851

Solar Impulse^b,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Dave Crosse| T: C N Kellett| OR: 135

100/1

Cheltenham Festival winner last year for Paul Nicholls but doesn't appear to have thrived since joining new connections last summer. Has fallen to a dangerously low handicap mark though and might be reinvigorated by today's atmosphere.

Form: 99P300-

Katnap^t²¹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: Danny Mullins| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 133

22/1

9lb higher than when scoring at Leopardstown earlier this term but an infrequent winner. Ran a fair race at Wexford last time but will need further improvement to score here.

Form: 1/98142-

Katachenko²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: W T Kennedy| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 133

25/1

A horse who is best in the spring, he won the Red Rum Handicap Chase on this card 12 months ago. Dropping in the weights this term but fair run at Cheltenham latest. Represents lucky Aintree owner and might be very much in the mix.

Form: 31-5352

Imjoeking^t²⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 10-0| J: D R Fox| T: Miss Lucinda V Russell| OR: 133

33/1

Goes on any ground and landed three-runner event at Ayr last time. This is a world apart and looks as though he might be up against it in this company.

Form: 552164

Gowanauthat^p,t¹⁸⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Bannister⁽³⁾| T: C J Mann| OR: 132

50/1

Landed five-timer on decent ground last year and duly rocketed up the ratings. Not seen since October with connections seemingly waiting for better ground. Interesting to note any market interest.

Form: 1123U2-

Father Edward^p²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: David Noonan| T: D Pipe| OR: 132

100/1

Despite hailing from top yard, hard to see him getting involved on the basis of recent performances. Looks up against it at this level.

Form: P4509P-

Long Lunch^p,t²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: James Davies| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 131

66/1

Below par efforts on last two starts but previous form puts him in with a squeak if back to his best. Has ground conditions in his favour.

Form: 3F206F-

Portrait King^v²⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 10-0| J: C O'Farrell| T: P Griffin| OR: 126

66/1

7lb out of the handicap. Fell three out when close up in Many Clouds' Grand National, and again fell when every chance in Becher Chase later that year. Solid sixth in this term's Becher Chase but needs soft ground to show his best form.

Form: 630-986

Thomond^t⁶⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Sean Flanagan| T: N Meade| OR: 119

80/1

Runner-up last two starts in Ireland but this is a different league and runs from 14lb out of the handicap. Would be a very big surprise if he can cope on these terms.

Form: 82263-2

Non-Runners

Peckhamecho⁷¹

Weight: 10-0| Age: 11

T: Mrs S Leech J: James Best

Forecasts

As De Mee (8/1), Seefood (8/1), Bouvreuil (9/1), Go Conquer (9/1), Henryville (11/1), O O Seven (12/1), Gold Present (12/1), Eastlake (14/1), Vintage Vinnie (16/1), Mr Diablo (16/1), Ballykan (16/1), Thomas Brown (20/1), Third Intention (20/1), Katnap (22/1), Clarcam (25/1), Alelchi Inois (25/1), Katachenko (25/1), Irish Cavalier (33/1), Quite By Chance (33/1), Bright New Dawn (33/1), Imjoeking (33/1), Ultragold (50/1), Straidnahanna (50/1), Gowanauthat (50/1), Portrait King (66/1), Long Lunch (66/1), Peckhamecho (66/1), Thomond (80/1), Father Edward (100/1), Solar Impulse (100/1)

Last year's winner Eastlake and this term's Grand Sefton Chase winner As De Mee are expected to go well again, but this might be an opportunity for Gordon Elliott's CLARCAM to return to winning ways if he gets the pre-requisite luck in running. Bouvreuil is another who enters calculations on recent form, as do Mr Diablo, Quite By Chance, and Ultragold, the latter pair (both trained by Colin Tizzard) appearing just the right types to thrive on this challenge. Despite top weight, classy Alechi Inois cannot be ruled out either in a wide-open contest.