Steve Ryder sides with the marginal favourite for the Topham despite Paul Townend opting to ride his stablemate.
16:05 Aintree
The Topham Handicap Chase is run at 4:05 on Day 2 of the Grand National meeting and it is a contest run over the National fences but over a significantly shorter distance of 2m5f.
Topham Chase Winners, Trends & Stats
Always Waining won this race for three consecutive years between 2010 and 2012 and Ultragold won it for Colin Tizzard under Harry Cobden in both 2017 and 2018.
- 21 of the previous 23 winners ran during March
- 17 of the previous 23 winners carried 10-12 or less
- 17 of the previous 21 winners didn’t win last time out
- 12 of the previous 20 winners had run at this course previously
- Eight of the previous 11 winners were aged between 6-9
- Six of the previous seven winners wore a tongue-tie
- Two of the previous five winners were trained by Willie Mullins
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Topham Chase Key Runners & Contenders
Blue Lord
Paul Townend appears to have chosen to ride the 10-year-old over stablemate James Du Berlais and he makes his handicap debut in this race off a mark of 152. Won three Grade 1 contests in 2022 but arrives off the back of three heavy defeats this season.
James Du Berlais
Finished 2nd by a length in this race last season off a mark of 151 and races off only a 1lb higher mark this year. Finished 3rd on his reappearance at Ascot and caught the eye when 5th in a listed handicap at Leopardstown in March.
Glengouly
Sent off 100/1 for the Grand National last season but ran well up to the Canal Turn on the second circuit until stamina became an issue and he unseated at the fourth last fence. Unseated when last seen in the Thyestes Chase but would hold strong claims back down in trip if his jumping holds out.
Amirite
Finished 2nd in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan last season before finishing 9th in the Galway Plate on his next start. Well beaten on his three starts this season but is now down to a mark of 140.
Bad
Has looked a transformed character in blinkers and beat course specialist Flegmatik at Kempton last time. Fell in January at Ascot so it will be interesting to see if he takes to these fences.
Marble Sands
Dual purpose performer who was last seen finishing 2nd on the AW at Southwell in February. Has won at Carlisle this season as well as finishing 2nd to Springwell Bay in a Grade 3 Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.
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Topham Chase Trainers & Jockeys to Watch
Willie Mullins won this in 2019 and 2021 and Nicky Henderson won this for three consecutive seasons between 2013 and 2015. Harry Cobden was on board Ultragold for both of his successes in 2017 and 2018 and he looks set to ride Ginny’s Destiny for Paul Nicholls.
Topham Chase Ground Conditions & Weather
The Grand National course is always well watered so the ground is expected to remain good to soft for this contest but it may quicken up slightly with a glorious week of weather.
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Topham Chase Pace & Tactics
Front runners and those who like to race prominently have a good record in the Topham Chase so backing genuine hold-up performers is a risk.
Topham Chase Tips
Willie Mullins rarely targets handicap chases in the UK but he appears to have worked out what it takes to win this unique race.
He won it with Cadmium in 2019 under Paul Townend and Livelovelaugh in 2021 under Patrick Mullins and he appears to have a strong hand this year with both JAMES DU BERLAIS (best priced at 8/1) and GLENGOULY (best priced at 14/1).
James Du Berlais arrived at the elbow in this race last season two lengths clear but was caught late on by Arizona Cardinal. He is only 1lb higher this year off a mark of 152 and he looks sure to be involved in the finish, despite Paul Townend choosing to ride Blue Lord instead.
If you watch the 2024 Grand National, it is nearly impossible not to back Glengouly for this race. He put in an exhibition of jumping until getting tired at the Canal Turn on the second circuit before unseating Michael O’Sullivan at the fourth last fence when weakening. This drop in trip to 2m5f will suit him as will his prominent running style and he looks a win only selection at the prices.
