The inaugural running of the Topham was in 1949. The Topham is now one of three races run over the Grand National fences at the Aintree Festival, the other two races being the Foxhunters’ Chase for amateur jockeys and the Grand National itself. The Topham Chase is currently run on the second day of the meeting and is a Grade 3 National Hunt handicap chase which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run over a distance of about 2 miles and 5 furlongs and usually takes around five and a half minutes to complete.
Peter Bowen, Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins have all won this multiple times in the past and all bar one of the past twenty winners had run within a month of their most recent start.
I have provide my Topham Chase Handicap Tips, Trends, & Analysis below and assessed their chances individually with a rating out of five stars below.
HAUT EN COULEURS
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Paul Townend
Was far from disgraced when lumping around a big weight in the Magners Plate at the Cheltenham Festival where he finished fifth behind Seddon. A return to a level track may actually suit him better as wins at Leopardstown and Auteuil have proven in the past. The form was given a bit of a boost with Gevrey running so well in the Irish Grand National earlier in the week. The yard is in red hot form but only one horse has carried such a huge weight to victory in the last two decades (Rajdhani Express in 2015). The jockey will have had the pick of the Mullins battalion so his decision has to be respected.
Star Rating: ***
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
Claim OfferNew customers, Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 free bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. Stake not returned. T&Cs Apply. 18+ GambleAware.org.
BURROWS SAINT
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Patrick Mullins
On his best form he would pick the rest of this field and carry them home. He is a former Irish Grand National winner and finished fourth in the Aintree Grand National a couple of seasons later. He seems to have been regressing ever since and again he fell in the Grand National last season. Although he may have finished third at Down Royal most recently, he was brushed aside relatively easily by Longhouse Poet and he just gives the impression that this course is not for him.
Star Rating: **
CIEL DE NEIGE
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Mark Walsh
Although his form has been nothing special this year, he has been working his way into form. He was last seen finishing seventh to The Goffer in a good handicap at Leopardstown during the Dublin Racing Festival. He has run several excellent races in similar handicaps over the last couple of seasons and is well used to big fields. Mark Walsh knows him inside out and has won on him three times in the past. As already stated the yard is in good form and owner JP McManus won the Irish National earlier in the week with I Am Maximus. No forlorn hope and has to have place claims once more.
Star Rating ***
FAN DE BLUES
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Daryl Jacob
Really beginning to look as though he has fallen out of love with the game this season having been upped in grade on his last two starts. He probably had too much weight to carry in a similar race at Fairyhouse in December and then found the opposition too strong at the same track in a top class handicap chase won by Rebel Gold. Life gets no easier here although he has gone well after similar breaks in the past. He has shown no appetite for a distance as far as this and his stamina has to be taken on trust.
Star Rating *
FINAL ORDERS
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Jockey: Keith Donohoe
His improvement this season has been phenomenal and is testament to the capabilities of his shrewd trainer. Having started life as a 120 rated chaser, he is now rated some thirty ponds superior on a mark of 150. He was upped significantly in grade to contest the Grand Annual at Cheltenham last month and he still ran with credit finishing 5/19 in a strong looking race. We know he has stamina in abundance so the trip will not be an issue and he could well have a say in the outcome of this race now that he returns to a flat track and has regular rider Keith Donohoe on board.
Star Rating ****
AL DANCER
Trainer: Sam Thomas
Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
Took advantage of a drop in his handicap mark to defy a 217-day absence to win the Grand Sefton Chase here back in November. We know therefore that he is capable of going well fresh and the form of the race has worked out extremely well with the likes of Two For Gold, Broken Halo, Jacamar, Senior Citizen and Coopers Cross all coming out to win subsequently. Experience of these fences is absolutely essential and he looks to have strong claims. He may struggle to confirm the form with the re-opposing Gesskille, but a major player here nonetheless.
Star Rating ****
IL RIDOTO
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Harry Cobden
Has had four hard enough races at Cheltenham this season and signs that he was just struggling to put in his best effort last time out when beaten over nine lengths by Seddon in the Magners Plate. A change of venue and a return to a flatter track may well suit him better. He just gives the impression that it may well be next season before we see him back to his best despite being trained by Paul Nicholls. There are no issues with the trip and the ground will be fine, but whether he can cope with these fences is another question entirely.
Star Rating ***
GIN ON LIME
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Jockey: Darragh O’Keefe
Ran a fair race in the Kerry National earlier in the year when finishing fourth to Busselton at Listowel. She was then tried in the cross country race at Cheltenham but only got as far as the second fence before he unseated Rachael Blackmore. As a result, she comes here fairly fresh and a case can be made for her. She was backed into favourtism for the Manifesto Chase here at this meeting last season and trailed in some sixteen lengths behind eventual winner Millers Bank. She needs to improve his game again though if he is to feature.
Star Rating ***
EPSON DU HOUX
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Jockey: Shane Fitzgerald (3)
Ran a fair race as a prep for this when beaten by stablemate Maskada in the Grand Annual Chase at Cheltenham and is weighted to reverse form with Final Orders on that basis. He has been dropped a couple of pounds in the ratings so the handicapper has given him a chance too. The biggest question he has to answer is over stamina. If he sees out this extended two-and-a-half miles, he has to be considered as he is generally a consistent horse.
Star Rating ***
Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets
Claim OfferNew customers, Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 free bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. Stake not returned. T&Cs Apply. 18+ GambleAware.org.
ASHTOWN LAD
Trainer: Dan Skelton
Jockey: Harry Skelton
Still only relatively lightly raced but has been a model of consistency all year. He was good enough to beat Gesskille here in the Becher Chase back in December and a return to these fences may yet encourage further improvement from him. Whether he has the speed to cope with the drop in trip is open to debate, but these fences take some jumping and with winning experience over them, you have to keep him onside. He has been beaten off lower marks than this in the past though and whilst he may struggle to win, he could plug on for a place.
Star Rating ***
UPPING THE ANTI
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
Found Flame Bearer far too strong when upped in class to contest a Grade Three novice chase at Thurles. The winner has gone in again subsequently so it looks decent form. A return to this sort of trip looks certainly to be in his favour and given the form of the yard’s handicappers he has to command respect. Rachael Blackmore would have had the pick of the De Bromhead horses so it is interesting she has opted to ride this seven-year-old gelding. Weighted to go well and looks sure to be involved.
Star Rating ****
FANTASTIC LADY
Trainer: Nicky Henderson
Jockey: Nico De Boinville
She unseated James Bowen in this race last year when short of room at the first fence. She recovered from the experience to win on her seasonal debut back over three miles at Market Rasen back in November. She also ran in the Paddy Power Chase on New Years’ Day and was a disappointing 12/16 behind Midnight River. Given that this race is back over the shorter of the trips and another large field she could well be put off. Despite her trainer having a fantastic record in the race, others are preferred.
Star Rating **
BATTLEOVERDOYEN
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Kieran Buckley
Has not won a race of any kind since July 2021 and has subsequently fallen down the ratings as a result. Three miles seems to be too far for him these days and two miles seems to short. Perhaps this trip could prove the solution. At the age of ten he is in the veteran stages of his career and it is probably safe to assume that his best days are behind him. He could only manage tenth place in this last year and at best a similar placing awaits him this season. Unlikely to make the frame once more against younger and more progressive sorts.
Star Rating *
GESSKILLE
Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Jake Guerriero
Jockey: Henry Brooke
Has run two solid races in defeat here during the winter and it is very possible that his run at Doncaster was one too many earlier in the season. He has been freshened up to have a crack at this and having gone well fresh in the past, he has to command respect. We know that he certainly handles the fences and the handicapper has dropped him a pound since his last run. Flat tracks such as here and Newbury suit him well and he is weighted to reverse form with Al Dancer based on their meeting here in the Grand Sefton. He cannot be left out of any equation and looks to have a bigger chance than most.
Star Rating ****
TOP VILLE BEN
TRAINER: Philip Kirby
Jockey: Thomas Dowson
Was an unconsidered 33/1 shot and was pulled up in the Ultima Handicap Chase behind Corach Rambler at Cheltenham. To be seen at his best, he really needs the rain to come down in sheets and that just didn’t materialise on that most recent start. Based on his previous run at the Dublin Racing Festival where he finished third behind The Goffer, he may have a small chance. There is some rain in the forecast so connections will be a bit happier, but doubtful that it will be significant enough to bring him into the picture.
Star Rating **
PHOENIX WAY
Trainer: Harry Fry
Jockey: Kevin Brogan
Has been highly tried this season but has always found a few too good. The handicapper is starting to relent a little and has dropped him a further two pounds. A return to a flat track may well suit but these fences are an unknown factor. He could be well in if he takes to them and he is just one of those horses that you can never have utmost faith in but you would be foolish to discount him completely.
Star Rating ***
BATCIO
Trainer: Ted Walsh
Jockey: Brian Hayes
Was in much better form coming into this last year where he was beaten by Mac Tottie. He is now an eleven-year-old and it is quite hard to believe the handicapper has basically scuppered his chances by hiking him eight pound in the ratings. Brian Hayes has ridden him before and they were placed in a handicap chase at Tramore a couple of seasons ago. This looks even more competitive than last years’ renewal and he will find it tougher too.
Star Rating **
DEMACHINE
Trainer: Kerry Lee
Jockey: Jonathan Burke
Lightly campaigned for a nine-year-old, but his last two runs have been dismal even accounting for a rise in grade. He was beaten a combined thirty-one lengths in those recent starts and has not won a race in almost a year. This is the first time that Jonathan Burke has ridden him since their last win and they are just a pound higher here in the ratings. It would take a leap of faith to think that this is what he wants right now and other look to have more solid credentials.
Star Rating **
KILTEALY BRIGGS
Trainer: Jamie Snowden
Jockey: Adrian Heskin
Looks to be on a downward slope having made a successful winning reappearance this season at Market Rasen. He was then fourth to Brave Seasca in a handicap chase over this course and distance back in December before putting in dismal displays at Wincanton and Sandown where he was beaten a combined fifty-seven lengths. The handicapper has given him a chance of 137, but he is highly unlikely to take advantage given what we have seen so far.
Star Rating **
NUMITOR
Trainer: Heather Main
Jockey: Adam Wedge
It makes sense that they are having a crack at this as he runs well at flat tracks. He has been placed on numerous occasions at tracks including Newbury, Warwick, Haydock, Doncaster and Wetherby. He is generally a consistent type and he looks to be well weighted to play a part over a trip that ever so slightly ebbs away at his stamina. If given a patient ride, there is a chance that he could well get into the thick of the action. He remains four pounds higher in the ratings than his most recent win, but entitled to go well all the same.
Star Rating ****
HERIDITARY RULE
Trainer: John McConnell
Jockey: Simon Torrens
Is fully entitled to come on for his recent run at Cheltenham where he finished 16/23 behind Seddon in the Magners Plate. That was his first run for almost four months and he can be expected to build upon it here. He was a spring/summer horse last season with wins coming in April, May, August and September, so this may just be his time of year to strike. He is versatile regarding trip and is likely to be seen to much better effect today than last time.
Star Rating ***
QUEL DESTIN
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
Jockey: Bryony Frost
Found only Hudson De Grugy too strong in a handicap at Sandown last month and continued with his fine run of good form this season. He remains well handicapped on the best of his old form and is fully comfortable at this sort of trip. He is particularly effective on a flat track and has won numerous races at similar tracks including Haydock, Lingfield, Sandown and Doncaster. He even won on a regular handicap at Bath in 2019. If he handles the uniqueness of these fences he could be the type to go very close.
Star Rating ****
HARDLINE
Trainer: Gordon Elliott
Jockey: Ricky Doyle
Gives the impression that this sort of trip is far too short for him these days. He has not won at this trip since December 2018. He was most recently seen finishing in the mid-pack behind Delta Work in the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham. He was sent off a 150/1 chance for that race and given the distance he was beaten you could see why. This looks even more difficult and he is easily opposed
Star Rating *
BILL BAXTER
Trainer: Warren Greatrex
Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
A lightly raced seven-year-old grey gelding who has proven to be a real money-spinner for his connections winning three of his last four starts. This marks a sharp rise in class for him, but he probably deserves to take his chance based on what we have seen so far. He stays this trip and slightly further so stamina is not an issue. If he takes to the Aintree fences he could well prove to be a live threat off his low weight and could surprise a few.
Star Rating ***
CELEBRE D’ALLEN
Trainer: Philip Hobbs
Jockey: Micheal Nolan
He is incredibly lightly raced for an eleven-year-old and has enjoyed three career wins in a short period of time. Only one of those wins have been over fences so far and this will be a task that he may not be entirely prepared for. He has a bit of work to do in order to reverse recent form with the likes of Il Ridoto and Haut En Couleurs based on their most recent meeting in the Magners Plate at Cheltenham. Looks up against it just based on his lack of experience.
Star Rating **
COOPERS CROSS
Trainer: Stuart Coltherd
Jockey: Ryan Mania
Was a bitterly disappointing favourite when last seen out at Doncaster when contesting the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase trailing home 6/7 in a race won by Moroder. Prior to that he had looked genuinely progressive and an exciting sort. There was a genuine reason for that lacklustre run in that he bled from the nose having burst a blood vessel. Fingers crossed that all is well with him now, but he is probably best watched in this instance this afternoon.
Star Rating **
EQUUS DANCER
Trainer: Peter Bowen
Jockey: Sean Bowen
The yard has such an affinity with this race that he could never be discounted. He endured a long spell away from the track but the team have done ever so well to get him back better than ever. He has won two of his last three starts and is perfectly happy over this kind of trip. Sean Bowen knows this horse so well that the pair have to come right into the reckoning from near the foot of the handicap. He is versatile regarding ground conditions and has to make any shortlist of potential winners of this race.
Star Rating ******
KILLER KANE
Trainer: Joe Tizzard
Jockey: Brendan Powell
He certainly gives the impression that staying is more of his forte these days. His most recent success came over three miles at Kempton back in February when he won a run of the mill handicap. He was raised in grade subsequently and found life too tough when contesting the Coral Trophy later that same month. He has been given a short break since, but this will probably be happening all too quickly for him and others are preferred.
Star Rating **
DORKING LAD
Trainer: Gary Moore
Jockey: Jamie Moore
He hasn’t enjoyed the latter half of this season given that he unseated his rider in a handicap won by Killer Kane at February and he was then brought down in another competitive handicap chase at Ascot. Prior to those efforts he had been able to win races at Kempton, Huntingdon and Wincanton so clearly has an appreciation for this flatter kind of track. He deserves a change of luck but whether he gets it is in the lap of the racing gods.
Star Rating **
FANTASTIKAS
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
Jockey: Jordan Nailor
Has not been seen to great affect this season and was cumbersome when chasing home Corach Rambler in the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham. He has endured a long hard season and this is hardly the race that will likely see him off the mark. He is at his best when there is plenty of rain in the forecast, but he has been too inconsistent to recommend as a betting proposition for this.
Star Rating *
Topham Chase Handicap Tips
A chance is taken with Equus Dancer who is taken to continue the fantastic record that the Bowens have in this particular race. He sneaks in at the right end of the handicap and warmed up for this nicely with a win at Uttoxeter last time out. Sean Bowen won this race for his father last year on Mac Tottie and he can make a bold attempt to try and ensure that the trophy. Others that command respect in this field have to include Al Dancer despite a big weight as well as Numitor, Quel Destin and Gesskille.
Predicted Finishing Order
- EQUUS DANCER
- GESSKILLE
- AL DANCER
- NUMITOR
Join The Best Betting Community In The World
Get involved in all the Grand National chat on our hugely popular horse racing betting forum. From trends, stats, and tips, we discuss anything and everything to get the edge over the bookies.
