16:05 Aintree

Friday 10 April 2026

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Randox Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

5YO plus | Class 1 | 2m 5f 19y | 30 Runners | Turf

SKY BET EXTRA PLACE RACESky Bet paying 7 places instead of 4

Il Est Francais^t1¹⁰⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 12-0| J: J J Burke| T: T R George| OR: 160WS

11/1

Bold-jumping front runner who landed the Kauto Star at Kempton in 2023. Looked the likely winner for most of the following year's King George only to be worn down late on, but pulled up the last twice since joining Tom George. Needs breathing operation to help spark a revival.

Form: 261-3PP

Matata²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-13| J: J J Slevin| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 159| D

28/1

Bounced back to best under a more patient ride when winning a premier handicap at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. Has failed by a long way to back that up in 2 subsequent outings, though, well beaten in the Ryanair at Cheltenham last time.

Form: 733155

Gentleman De Mee^t⁸²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158| CD

15/2

Dual Grade 1 winner who made a successful handicap chase debut in this contest last year. Looks to have been brought along with Aintree in mind again during the current campaign, not given a hard time when third of 5 in the Kinloch Brae at Thurles last time. Respected.

Form: 414-463

Ile Atlantique^t⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 153| D

7/1

Successful on first 2 chase starts last season, including a Grade 2 novice at Naas, and returned to that level when runner-up to Heart Wood in New Year's Day Chase at Tramore. Lesser effort at Leopardstown in February, but he could yet do better in only his second handicap.

Form: 5UF-328

Hitman^t,p⁸³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-7| J: Freddie Gingell| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 153| C

25/1

Ended a long losing run when landing the Old Roan here on reappearance. However, has gone backwards from that effort in 2 starts since, finding a thorough test too demanding when pulled up in an Ascot handicap in January.

Form: 2P7-13P

Croke Park^p⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 150

20/1

Dual Grade 1 winner as a novice but hasn't kicked on this season, finding the test inadequate when well held over 21.5f at Leopardstown on handicap debut in February. A likely strong pace in this contest should at least help.

Form: 27-3330

Madara^p³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 150

4/1

Making only fifth start for his leading yard, proved better than ever in reapplied cheekpieces when justifying favouritism in the Plate at Cheltenham a month ago, jumping superbly/travelling powerfully. Up 10 lb in the weights but looks tailor made for this race.

Form: 842-521

Boombawn³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: Tristan Durrell| T: D Skelton| OR: 146| C| D

14/1

Grade 2 novice winner during a busy 2024/25 and best effort of current campaign when third in Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton in January. Hasn't made much impact in a trio of handicaps since, ninth to Madara in the Plate at Cheltenham, but his mark has eased as a result. One to note.

Form: 443809

Eldorado Allen^t,p⁴¹

Age: 12| Weight: 10-12| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 144

50/1

Enhanced his excellent first-time-out record when making all in veterans handicap at Cheltenham in November. Not discredited when fourth of 9 in similar event at Newbury 6 weeks ago, but this is a difficult ask against his younger rivals.

Form: 05-1344

Will The Wise^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Conor Stone-Walsh⁽³⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 143

8/1

Useful hurdler who has developed into a better chaser this season, winning a Galway novice before making the frame in the Troytown at Navan. Fitted with a tongue tie, produced his best effort when second to Madara in the Plate at Cheltenham and he can make his presence felt.

Form: 221402

Addragoole^t³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-11| J: Sean Flanagan| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 143

33/1

Back in a tongue strap, much improved when making a winning handicap chase debut over 17f at Leopardstown in December. Has shaped as if still in good form both starts since, ninth of 20 in Grand Annual at Cheltenham last month, though unproven beyond 19f.

Form: 214139

Soul Icon^t⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-10| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 142

28/1

Winner of the Desert Orchid Handicap at Kempton last season and has returned to form in 3m handicaps at the same course the last twice, fifth of 13 in premier event in February. However, seemed to find the test too much when ninth in this race last year.

Form: 629-U45

Coming Up Easy^t¹⁴⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-10| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 142| D

11/1

Has proved a different proposition ridden more positively back down in trip over fences, bringing up the hat-trick in listed handicap at Killarney in August. Winning run came to a halt, though, when pulled up in Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham when last seen, let down by his jumping.

Form: 0011-1P

Viroflay⁴⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Miss O Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 141| D

18/1

Useful hunter chaser for Olive Nicholls and has made a sound start re-united with this yard, off the mark in handicaps at the third attempt over 3m at Kempton in December. Typically jumped well when second at the same course (20.5f) last time, but this is tougher.

Form: 12-2212

Prairie Wolf^p²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-9| J: Jack Tudor| T: J Parkinson & S Smith| OR: 141| C| D

11/1

Returned to winning ways at this venue on Boxing Day. Well held at Cheltenham next time, but back in calmer waters he's proved at least as good as ever with back-to-back wins at Newcastle in February and at Newbury 20 days ago.

Form: 331911

Conflated^t,p³⁰

Age: 12| Weight: 10-8| J: James Bowen| T: G Elliott| OR: 140

50/1

Top-class chaser in his prime who took a step back in the right direction when third in a cross-country event at Punchestown in February. Failed to repeat that effort, though, when well beaten at Cheltenham last month.

Form: 4-42239

O'Moore Park^t³¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Sean O'Keeffe| T: W P Mullins| OR: 140

22/1

Yet to taste success over fences but plenty of creditable handicap efforts to his name, including when fifth of 28 in Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December. Quickly bounced back from a below-par effort when sixth in the Plate at Cheltenham last time.

Form: 0-20506

Booster Bob³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: S Bowen| T: O Murphy| OR: 139

14/1

Signed off last season with success in Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury and reappeared with a career-best victory in another valuable handicap there in November. Progressed has stalled in 2 runs at Cheltenham since, but the return to a flatter track could help.

Form: 231-15F

Mahons Glory⁴⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Lee Edwards| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 139| C| D

12/1

Has looked a reformed character for current yard, taking well to this course with bold bids in both the Grand Sefton and Becher Chases. Capitalised on drop in grade when making all at Huntingdon in March, but he now has a career-high mark to overcome.

Form: 224521

Lisnamult Lad^p,t¹⁰⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Jordan Gainford| T: Ian Donoghue| OR: 138| D

14/1

Winner of a novice handicap at Cheltenham last season and back to form when denied late on in this contest. Has failed to complete in only 2 starts during the current campaign, but he's likely to have had this race as the target with usual cheekpieces reapplied.

Form: FP52-FP

Peaky Boy^t1,p³¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Jonjo O'Neill Jr.| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 137

40/1

Won 3 of 4 starts over hurdles/fences (all at Cheltenham) for Nicky Henderson in 2024. However, well below that level in 3 runs for current yard (absent 12 months prior to this season), his jumping no better fitted with cheekpieces in the Plate at Cheltenham. Tongue strap added.

Form: 1/133-F0

Bill Baxter^p⁵⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: W Greatrex| OR: 136| CD

20/1

Winner of this race in 2023 and bounced back to form when landing listed handicap at Punchestown last spring. Has run well in 3 of his 4 subsequent outings, sixth of 13 in the Becher here in December, but looks vulnerable to younger rivals. Cheekpieces reapplied.

Form: 41-2652

Teddy Blue^b,t²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: Paul O'Brien| T: Harry Derham| OR: 135| D

22/1

Still not totally straightforward but gained a third success for current yard at Ascot on return and better than ever when also winning 7-runner handicap at Kempton last month, responding well to pressure having looked held 4 out.

Form: 7-17531

Pour Les Filles³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Dylan Johnston| T: M Bowen| OR: 132

33/1

Maiden hurdle winner for Gordon Elliott on reappearance before disappointing next 2 starts. Fortunate to make a successful chase debut for this yard at Ffos Las in January, the favourite falling when going best, and has run poorly in 2 outings since.

Form: 17P1P5

Jipcot^t³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: K Brogan| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 132| D

28/1

Opened chase account when making all at Leicester in January and acquitted himself well when fourth in the Swinley at Ascot the following month, jumping notably fluently. Possibly found the race coming too soon in the Plate at Cheltenham, so he remains capable of better.

Form: 0P-3140

The King Of Prs^t⁵⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Daniel King| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 132

28/1

Winner of a valuable handicap at Fairyhouse last season. Yet to match that level since, including when eighth in this race last year, though better signs when fourth in latest renewal of the Fairyhouse contest in January. However, he's yet to prove his stamina for this far.

Form: 5-B5947

Primoz^t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: D R Fox| T: L Russell & M Scudamore| OR: 132| D

20/1

Not the easiest to catch right but bounced back to winning ways with a comfortable success in 6-runner handicap at Ayr last month. However, back up in the weights (2 lb of the handicap) he faces much tougher opposition in this contest.

Form: 235631

Indiana Jones^t,p³⁹

Age: 10| Weight: 10-2| J: Mr Shane O'Callaghan⁽⁵⁾| T: M F Morris| OR: 130

66/1

It's now been over 3 years since his last victory and has struggled for form over both hurdles and fences this season, well beaten on return from 3 months off in listed handicap chase at Leopardstown in March.

Form: 477-0P0

Excello^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 130| D

25/1

Went well for a long way in this race last year (chance-ending mistake 2 out) and promising third in the Grand Sefton here on return. Ran poorly in the Becher next time, but after a fall he got back on track when ninth of 23 in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham last month.

Form: 40-30F9

Non-Runners

Theatre Native³¹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 8

T: H De Bromhead J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Madara (7/2), Ile Atlantique (7/1), Gentleman De Mee (8/1), Will The Wise (8/1), Coming Up Easy (12/1), Boombawn (12/1), Lisnamult Lad (14/1), Prairie Wolf (16/1), Mahons Glory (16/1), Il Est Francais (16/1), Booster Bob (16/1), Croke Park (20/1), Excello (25/1), Matata (25/1), Bill Baxter (25/1), Addragoole (25/1), Viroflay (25/1), Primoz (25/1), Hitman (25/1), Teddy Blue (33/1), Soul Icon (33/1), O'Moore Park (33/1), The King Of Prs (33/1), Pour Les Filles (33/1), Jipcot (33/1), Peaky Boy (33/1), Theatre Native (50/1), Eldorado Allen (66/1), Conflated (66/1), Indiana Jones (66/1)

Not long with his current yard, MADARA put up an impressive display when winning the Plate at Cheltenham and a rise in the weights might not prevent him from landing another major handicap. Last year's winner of this race Gentleman de Mee isn't taken lightly, while Boombawn helps to give Dan Skelton a strong hand with Will The Wise another to consider.