Racecards
16:05 Aintree
Randox Topham Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (GBB Race) (National Course) (Class 1)
- 26 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f 19y
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
- £105,000 added
- Winner: £58,936
- 2nd: £22,166
- 3rd: £11,078
- 4th: £5,534
Ibleo (FR)
23- Form 2-22113
- Age 8
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 157
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey Charlie Deutsch
slowly away, behind, pecked 10th (bechers), hampered next, stayed on from last, never any chance
- Form 7-61445
- Age 7
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 157
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey H Cobden
mid-division, jockey looked to be having tack issues after landing 12th (canal turn), taken out after 13th and pulled up before 14th
- Form 2-2P313
- Age 8
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 153
- Trainer K Bailey & M Nicholls
- Jockey David Bass
held up towards rear, hit 7th, just about mid-division when jockey unseated 12th (canal turn)
- Form 31-1347
- Age 7
- Weight 11-7
- Official Rating 152
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey D A Jacob
prominent on outside, lost place 8th, blundered and lost place 11th (foinavon), well behind 13th, pulled up before 2 out
- Form 370/6-13
- Age 11
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Jonjo O'Neill Jr.
held up rear of mid-division, mistakes 5th, 8th and 10th (bechers), hampered 11th (foinavon), soon well behind
- Form 202641
- Age 11
- Weight 11-3
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Brian Hayes
chased leaders, mistake 3rd (chair), lost place 5th, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 7th, pulled up before 10th (bechers)
- Form 19/2-1P6
- Age 11
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer A M Hales
- Jockey Kielan Woods
jumped left at times, led until after 1st, chased leaders, 7th when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
- Form 637232
- Age 11
- Weight 11-0
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey Mr P W Mullins
led after 1st until 3rd, led 6th, clear 12th, given breather and reduced lead when mistake 2 out, went clear again before elbow, in no danger after, stayed on
- Form 123F-25
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey N de Boinville
held up towards rear, mistake 1st and 3rd (chair), fell 11th (foinavon)
- Form P/3-F740
- Age 9
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey J J Burke
in touch in mid-division, lost place before 5th, well behind 12th (canal turn), pulled up before 13th (valentines)
- Form 4711P0
- Age 8
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
mid-division, not fluent 12th (canal turn), well beaten after
- Form 4P-4577
- Age 10
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer L P Cusack
- Jockey Mr Derek O'Connor
held up towards rear, 11th 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, went 4th last, stayed on, no impression
- Form 32-4PP3
- Age 8
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer P A Fahy
- Jockey B J Cooper
prominent until 3rd, chased leaders, lost some places before 6th, 6th 3 out, 8th 2 out, plugged on
- Form 8/2520-4
- Age 10
- Weight 10-11
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer T R Gretton
- Jockey S Bowen
behind until pulled up before 11th (foinavon)
- Form 7311P5
- Age 8
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 140
prominent, pecked 5th, hit 8th, pecked 10th (bechers), mistake 11th (foinavon), 5th 3 out, 7th and weakening 2 out
- Form 14-FF31
- Age 10
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer J Parkinson & S Smith
- Jockey Ryan Mania
chased leaders, 2nd briefly when bad mistake 10th (bechers), 3rd 3 out, 5th 2 out, weakened before last
- Form 14-1274
- Age 8
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer A King
- Jockey Adrian Heskin
held up in touch in mid-division, closed from 8th, not fluent 9th, 4th 3 out, 3rd 2 out, stayed on, no impression on winner
- Form 061308
- Age 10
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer D Brace
- Jockey Jack Tudor
held up towards rear, hampered 11th (foinavon), headway from 12th (canal turn), 8th 3 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression when winner kicked clear before elbow, held after, stayed on and closed gap slightly towards finish
- Form 1/3P6-28
- Age 12
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 137
- Trainer Miss R Curtis
- Jockey Nick Scholfield
held up towards rear, behind 4 out, remote 13th last, stayed on run-in, never nearer
- Form 145315
- Age 7
- Weight 10-3
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Bryony Frost
prominent, lost place 10th (bechers), well behind 5 out
- Form 2-41413
- Age 8
- Weight 10-3
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey Mr Sam Waley-Cohen
reluctant to line up, slowly away, well behind until pulled up after 3 out
- Form 2F-2178
- Age 8
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey James Bowen
mid-division on outside, hampered and unseated rider 11th (foinvon)
- Form 74P411
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer Miss V Williams
- Jockey R T Dunne
chased leaders, mistake and lost place 3rd, mistake 5th, 9th 3 out, soon got behind
- Form 8-12461
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 129
- Trainer M Scudamore
- Jockey Brendan Powell
chased leaders, struggling from 5 out, well beaten 12th 3 out
- Form 412387
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer R Spencer
- Jockey James Best
prominent, led 3rd until 6th, stayed close up, 2nd 3 out, 4th 2 out, fading 5th from last
- Form 28/3412
- Age 8
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 125
- Trainer O Greenall & J Guerriero
- Jockey Danny McMenamin
towards rear, 10th when mistake 3 out, 9th 2 out, no impression, weakened
- Form 49/3P6-5
- Age 13
- Weight 10-2
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer R Spencer
- Jockey Darragh O'Keeffe
NonRunner
Tiquer (FR)
90- Form 144/P1-2
- Age 13
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 127
- Trainer A E Jones
- Jockey T J O'Brien
NonRunner
In depth
Verdict
Nicky Henderson saddles four runners as he bids to win this historic handicap over the National fences for a fifth time. Precious Cargo might be the pick of his quartet as he’s a well-built individual and a strong traveller. MODUS is one of three Paul Nicholls’ entries and he handled these fences well enough when third in the Grand Sefton in December. On better terms, he can reverse that form with second Sir Jack Yeats. Senior Citizen weakened on the run-in that day having jumped the last alongside the eventual runner-up. That was on soft going and he’ll be much better suited by today’s surface. Willie Mullins runs two and both are likely to the prominent in the betting. Livelovelaugh has run well in two starts at Leopardstown since returning from a winter break while Robin Des Foret returned to action with a victory at Clonmel. Ibleo has enjoyed a terrific campaign but he is best over a strongly-run 2m and on a slower surface. Gowran third Dunvegan is on a fair mark and could reward each-way support with a similar comment applying to a host of others including Huntsman Son, Two For Gold and Magic Saint.
Formwatch
Ibleo (FR) 9-1 (11-8) Behind, switched left approaching 3 out, headway 2 out, 6th when pecked last, went 3rd towards finish, stayed on well, nearest finish, 3rd of 19, 3 3/4l behind Sky Pirate (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Magic Saint (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, ridden before 3 out, no extra from next, 5th of 6, 24 1/2l behind Sceau Royal (11-0) at Newbury 2m (1) gs in Feb.
Two For Gold (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Tracked leader in 3rd, untidy 7th, closer 11th, chased leader in 2nd 4 out, ridden after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, disputing 2nd last, kept on run-in but headed for 2nd final 110 yards, 3rd of 5, 10 1/4l behind Cloth Cap (11-2) at Kelso 2m 7f lst (1) gs in Mar.
Caribean Boy (FR) 12-1 (11-11) Mid-division, not fluent and outpaced 4 out, struggling next, stayed on flat, unable to get on terms, 7th of 21, 13 1/4l behind The Shunter (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Modus 15-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, hit 13th (valentines), headway chasing leaders after 3 out, went 3rd before the elbow, stayed on, 3rd of 18, 6 3/4l behind Beau Bay (10-5) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Robin Des Foret (IRE) 8-13fav (11-4) Raced in 2nd early, 3rd when mistake at 4th, briefly pushed along in close 3rd entering straight, on terms travelling well 2 out, ridden and narrowly headed at last, led run-in, kept on well under pressure, all out, won at Clonmel 2m 4f sft in Mar beating Westerner Point (11-4) by hd, 5 ran.
Huntsman Son (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway on inside approaching 2 out, went 6th flat, stayed on, not trouble leaders, 6th of 21, 12 1/4l behind The Shunter (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Livelovelaugh (IRE) 10-3jfav (10-11) Led, joined briefly from before 4th to 5th, asserted before last, slightly slow last, soon ridden, pressed closing stages and headed close home, 2nd of 14, nk behind Mitchouka (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Mar.
Precious Cargo (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Mistake 1st, held up in mid-division, headway going strongly from 11th, went 2nd 13th, led 2 out, headed last, weakened inside final 100 yards, 5th of 9, 7l behind Espoir De Teillee (11-3) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Glen Forsa (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Wide and slow 1st, closed to chase leaders before 3rd, driven after 4 out, weakened next, 12th of 19, dist behind Sky Pirate (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Visioman (FR) 20-1 (10-11) In rear, trailing 3rd, some progress 3 out, ridden on outer 2 out, no impression, 10th of 18, 16 1/4l behind Light Brigade (10-4) at Naas 1m 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Feb.
Snugsborough Hall (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden in 7th entering straight, no impression before last where hampered, kept on one pace, 7th of 14, 15 3/4l behind Mitchouka (10-10) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Mar.
Dunvegan (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Disputed lead, headed 7th, disputed lead again 4 out, headed entering straight, 3rd and ridden 3 out, soon no impression on leaders, 3rd of 14, 20 1/2l behind Montagne D'Argent (9-12) at Gowran Park 2m 2f hcp hvy in Mar.
Kauto Riko (FR) 50-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, remote 9th 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 4th close home, nearest finish, 4th of 16, 5 1/2l behind Coole Cody (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Storm Control (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Led 2nd, not fluent 17th, headed 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 21, 25 3/4l behind Mount Ida (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Ravenhill Road (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Made virtually all, clear 2 out, eased close home, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Mar beating Master Work (11-5) by 7 1/2l, 7 ran.
Senior Citizen 7-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden and one pace when hung left between last 2, plugged on, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Umbrigado (11-3) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (1) gd in Mar.
Pink Eyed Pedro 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden after 3, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 28 1/4l behind Our Dot's Baby (10-10) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Relentless Dreamer (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened after 7th, 8th of 9, 27 1/2l behind Wilde About Oscar (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
My Way (FR) 4-1 (11-8) Jumped left at times, lined up out wide, led, pushed along and headed 3 out, ridden and lost 2nd soon after, weakened, 5th of 9, 19 3/4l behind Domaine De L'Isle (11-10) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Lust For Glory (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up off the pace and keen, plugged on into 3rd between last 2, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 9, 34 1/2l behind Farinet (10-5) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp lst (1) sft in Mar.
Morning Vicar (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 15th, chasing leaders 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 21, dist behind Mount Ida (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Realm Keeper (USA) 10-3 (11-6) Prominent or led, asserted control on approach to last, pushed out, went clear towards finish, easily, won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Grange Ranger (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Court Master (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Chased leader, pushed along before 3 out where not fluent, ridden after 2 out, hit last, stayed on to lead final 50yds, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Mar beating Schiehallion Munro (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Sir Jack Yeats (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Prominent, ridden and lost place 7th, 7th of 9, 22 3/4l behind Mr Jack (11-8) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Zalvados (FR) 5-2 (11-8) Keen close up in rear, headway to track winner 4 out(normal 5 out), ridden and kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Hes No Trouble (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Outlander (IRE) 18-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th until 4 out, ridden and weakened quickly before next, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Singlefarmpayment (10-6) at Ascot 3m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Tiquer (FR) 17-2 (10-1) Held up in last, headway on inside after 11th, not fluent and outpaced 5 out, mistake 4 out and 2 out, left 3rd last, kept on, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Cepage (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.