The Topham Handicap Chase is the showpiece over the Grand National fences on the second day of Aintree’s festival. 30 runners are set to go to post over the 2m5f trip and Joe Napier previews this big field and gives his verdict.
A dramatic conclusion to the 2024 running saw Arizona Cardinal rally past James Du Berlais to win at 20/1 for Stuart Edmunds and Ciaran Gethings.
JAMES DU BERLAIS
(Willie Mullins/JJ Slevin)
James Du Berlais ran in the Champion Hurdle on his debut for Willie Mullins such was the esteem he was held in in 2021. Despite reaching a fairly high level, it is remarkable that he has only won once since, on his chase debut at Fairyhouse in January 2023, though in terms of his defeats, none were more painstaking than in the race 12 months ago.
Looking all over the winner after the last, he wore out of puff approaching the Elbow and was overhauled by Arizona Cardinal before the finish line. Compensation still awaits and he has gradually been working back to form, but Paul Townend deserts him here and at 1lb higher than he was last year, he looks a shaky favourite, especially given his track record of winning.
BLUE LORD
(Willie Mullins/Paul Townend)
Townend has instead chosen Blue Lord to partner in the Topham. You have to go back even further for his last victory than James Du Berlais, but it was at Grade 1 level at Leopardstown, and he has almost exclusively run at that level ever since. Indeed, this will be the first handicap he has ever run in.
How he deals with the commotion of a 30-runner field is up for debate, but he is down to a mark of 152, the same as his aforementioned stablemate, despite a much more profitable career. He has won five times over fences, and his third in the Ascot Chase upped to 2m5f last time suggests he will stay. Has to be in considerations even if he is a slightly declining force.
GLENGOULY
(Willie Mullins/Danny Mullins)
Glengouly was a 100/1 shot when leading for the majority of last season’s Grand National, only to fade and unseat his rider late in the day. He did the same on his most recent start in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park and he simply doesn’t look a stayer at 3m or upwards.
His form over shorter trips is better and he is 2lb lower than when blazing that National trail. On balance, he still has not really achieved that British rating on achievements, so would still have something to prove against his stablemates, not least the rest of the field.
AMIRITE
(Henry De Bromhead/Rachael Blackmore)
As is the case with James Du Berlais, Amirite simply doesn’t win races. His only victories have been in a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan and a Fairyhouse Beginners’ Chase, since when he has gone 12 races without winning and just under two-and-a-half years worth of time.
He has run good races, finishing second in Ireland’s Midlands National, as well as top five finishes in races at Cheltenham, Leopardstown and Sandown. However, his form is more mixed this term and the British handicapper is not letting him escape lightly. Place chance is obvious, but winning chance is limited.
THE FIELD
Irish yards dominate the betting, with The Goffer having potential given his form has improved in the cross country sphere of late. Meanwhile, The King Of Prs had been going firmly the right way in Ireland before disappointing at Cheltenham and may well improve again up in trip.
Mullins also runs Gentleman De Mee and Adamantly Chosen, the latter of whom could be involved on his run at the Dublin Racing Festival, as he may not have been fully fit last time. The former is on a sharper downgrade by the looks of things.
The Brits have done well in this race lately though and do hold plenty of chances: Ginny’s Destiny continues to fall to a tempting mark, while Fantastic Lady has been second and sixth in this race and may be running in it with more suitable underfoot conditions for the first time.
Bad may be the primary one however, having got the winning monkey off his back the last twice. Ben Pauling’s grey has risen significantly in the handicap, but he had always shaped like a horse who could be well ahead of his mark, and he did well to beat a rival who was surely primed for their contest at Kempton last month.
Latenightpass has course and distance form from his hunter chasing days, so must be respected, with outsiders to note being Escaria Ten if he can go the quicker pace at this trip, Mars Harper after a great run in hot company at Cheltenham, and Minella Drama, who has often found his best over the Mildmay fences and is 1lb lower than for his Old Roan success in October.
VERDICT
Paul Townend’s choice of Blue Lord over last year’s runner-up James Du Berlais is likely worth heeding, and he is the pick of the Mullins contingent ahead of Adamantly Chosen, who is respected at a bigger price. However, BAD is now bang in form, with a precious success at Kempton in February the tonic for another victory at that track three weeks later. He is an improving six-year-old who has more to offer. Fantastic Lady is second choice, while The King Of Prs is another who could easily be involved in a wide open betting heat.
- Bad
- Fantastic Lady
- Blue Lord
- The King Of Prs
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