Racecards
16:05 Aintree
Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (Class 1)
- 27 Runners
- Distance: 2m 5f 19y
- Going: Heavy (Soft in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £140,000 added
- Winner: £78,582
- 2nd: £29,554
- 3rd: £14,770
- 4th: £7,378
- Form 332F50
- Age 11
- Weight 11-12
- Official Rating 152
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey J J Slevin
never better than mid-division, behind from 10th (bechers), tailed off from 13th
- Form 54-3450
- Age 8
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey Aidan Coleman
in touch, dropped to mid-division 4th (water), behind from 8th, pulled up before 10th (bechers)
- Form 6-P2443
- Age 10
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer Kerry Lee
- Jockey James Bowen
mid-division, pushed along 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace after last, never reached leaders
- Form 20P-FP0
- Age 11
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 150
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
hampered 1st, towards rear, headway and in touch 6th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
- Form 6900-14
- Age 8
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer G Elliott
- Jockey D N Russell
mid-division, headway on outside 4 out, disputed 3rd 2 out, soon one pace, ridden and no impression after
- Form 1P-5438
- Age 7
- Weight 11-8
- Official Rating 148
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Thomas Bellamy
tracked leaders, mistake 13th (valentines), outpaced 3 out, weakened next
- Form 137-105
- Age 9
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 146
- Trainer W P Mullins
- Jockey D A Jacob
towards rear, mistake and hampered 7th, headway into mid-division 12th (canal turn), outpaced before 2 out, soon ridden and beaten
- Form 630-76B
- Age 7
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Sam Twiston-Davies
mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
- Form 1-392P0
- Age 10
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey H Cobden
led to 10th (bechers), tracked leader, led again 12th (canal turn), made rest, 2 lengths clear 2 out, driven out after last, stayed on well
- Form 1P0P-00
- Age 12
- Weight 11-1
- Official Rating 141
- Trainer J & A O'Neill
- Jockey B J Geraghty
chased leaders to before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
- Form 105138
- Age 8
- Weight 10-13
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer C E Longsdon
- Jockey J J Burke
slowly away, always behind, hampered 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
- Form P-U7081
- Age 9
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer N & W Twiston-Davies
- Jockey Jamie Bargary
towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 3rd (chair)
- Form 5/644P4
- Age 11
- Weight 10-12
- Official Rating 138
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey T J O'Brien
mid-division, tracked leaders 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, never on terms
- Form 411194
- Age 7
- Weight 10-10
- Official Rating 136
- Trainer David Dennis
- Jockey B S Hughes
towards rear, headway 11th (foinavon), outpaced before 2 out, never on terms, ridden and weakened before last
- Form 8-23625
- Age 8
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer N J Henderson
- Jockey J McGrath
chased leaders to 7th, soon behind, 9th 2 out, soon ridden, rallied after last, stayed on into 4th after elbow, not pace to trouble leaders
- Form 40/70-89
- Age 10
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer C L Tizzard
- Jockey R M Power
mid-division, tracked leaders 10th (bechers), chased front pair after 3 out, ridden after last, went 2nd approaching elbow, kept on, not reach winner
- Form 231312
- Age 7
- Weight 10-8
- Official Rating 134
- Trainer Dr R D P Newland
- Jockey W T Kennedy
towards rear, headway into mid-division 4th (water), blundered and unseated rider 7th
- Form P6P121
- Age 10
- Weight 10-7
- Official Rating 133
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey T Scudamore
mid-division, headway when fell 4 out
- Form 7-22323
- Age 8
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer W Greatrex
- Jockey Mr Sam Waley-Cohen
prominent, tracked winner 3 out, 2 lengths down next, ridden after last, one pace when lost 2nd approaching elbow, no extra
- Form 3-51353
- Age 9
- Weight 10-6
- Official Rating 132
- Trainer T Reed
- Jockey Harry Reed
in touch, mistake 3rd (chair), tracked leaders 3 out, outpaced in 5th 2 out, no impression after
- Form 354213
- Age 12
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 131
- Trainer J Scott
- Jockey Matt Griffiths
soon mid-division, lost place before 12th (canal turn), tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
- Form P-8373F
- Age 9
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer O Sherwood
- Jockey Conor Shoemark
tracked leaders, blundered 6th and 9th, mistake and unseated rider 11th (foinavon)
- Form 251354
- Age 8
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer Mrs D A Love
- Jockey Jonathan Moore
mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 3rd (chair)
- Form 96PP5P
- Age 10
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 130
- Trainer M F Morris
- Jockey Rachael Blackmore
in touch, mistake and lost place 3rd (chair), behind from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Greybougg
48- Form 331-U65
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer N J Hawke
- Jockey C O'Farrell
with leader led 10th (bechers), carried wide by loose horse and headed 12th (canal turn), chased winner, blundered and lost place 3 out, weakened next, pulled up before last
- Form 971-443
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 126
- Trainer F O'Brien
- Jockey P J Brennan
in touch, mistake 10 (bechers), lost place 13th (valentines), ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off
- Form 41P103
- Age 10
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 124
- Trainer P & M Bowen
- Jockey S Bowen
slowly away, behind when blundered and unseated rider 1st
- Form 87P-F24
- Age 8
- Weight 11-9
- Official Rating 149
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Nick Scholfield
NonRunner
- Form 5-54297
- Age 9
- Weight 11-5
- Official Rating 145
- Trainer Miss E C Lavelle
- Jockey Adam Wedge
NonRunner
- Form 1P/2P-3P
- Age 12
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 135
- Trainer James Moffatt
- Jockey Henry Brooke
NonRunner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Theatre Territory is an interesting runner in this under Sam Waley-Cohen. She’s yet to win over fences but looks a natural jumper and her form stands up to scrutiny – if she takes to these unique obstacles, she could be well handicapped. Art Mauresque was just behind at Kempton having apparently failed to see out the longer trip. He is not without a chance and stablemate Bouvreuil is definitely well treated on last season’s form. He hasn’t had much racing this term and was unlucky last month at Cheltenham so warrants respect. O O Seven has been running well this season without reward and bids to become his trainer’s fourth winner in this in six years and his fifth overall. Ballyalton ran well for fourth in this grade at Cheltenham while Willie Mullins’ Polidam has had a wind operation since last seen. Flying Angel won a Grade 1 at this meeting last year and Highland Lodge loves jumping these big fences but there is no guarantee that Bigbadjohn will reproduce the form of his Ascot win. TOP GAMBLE (NAP) has a touch of class and has slipped to a fair mark judged on his third in the Grand Annual last month. Hampered twice before staying on strongly in the closing stages, he’ll relish the return to a longer trip and James Bowen’s 3lb claim could be the deciding factor if he’s in contention turning for home. Beau Bay and Rathlin Rose are bang in form and Ultragold and Eastlake have won the last two runnings of this at big odds so can’t be ignored.
Formwatch
Devils Bride (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place 10th, tailed off 4 out, 10th of 12, dist behind Smad Place (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Oct.
O O Seven (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 18, 33 1/2l behind Coo Star Sivola (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (1) hvy in Mar.
Top Gamble (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) In touch on inside, outpaced when hampered 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on under pressure flat, just failed for 2nd near finish, no impression with winner, 3rd of 22, 4 3/4l behind Le Prezien (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Village Vic (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Led to 5 out, lost place 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 15th of 22, dist behind The Storyteller (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Clarcam (FR) 28-1 (11-10) In touch, slightly detached after 4th, trailing halfway, left moderate 4th 2 out, no extra, 4th of 5, dist behind Un De Sceaux (11-12) at Cork 2m 1f (1) hvy in Dec.
Flying Angel (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Mid-division, reminders 14th, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 27 1/2l behind Wakanda (11-0) at Doncaster 3m hcp lst (1) sft in Jan.
Polidam (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Held up, 16th from 4th, progress from before 2 out, chased leaders straight and no impression, kept on without threatening, 5th of 22, 24 3/4l behind Last Goodbye (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp sft in Feb.
Bouvreuil (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division when badly hampered and brought down 2nd, at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Ultragold (FR) 66-1 (10-13) Never better than mid-division, weakened from 3 out, 13th of 22, dist behind The Storyteller (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Eastlake (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off, 15th of 22, dist behind Le Prezien (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Midnight Shot 50-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, one pace, ridden and no impression between last 2, weakened flat, 8th of 22, 22l behind The Storyteller (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Bigbadjohn (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Held up in last par, headway 14th, 2nd going well before 3 out, upsides next, led last, stayed on well to go clear towards finish, won at Kempton 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb beating Brandon Hill (11-6) by 1l, 7 ran.
Ballyalton (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance on inside 2 out, one pace last, no impression flat, 4th of 22, 7 3/4l behind The Storyteller (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Deauville Dancer (IRE) 9-1 (11-13) Took keen hold, held up in 4th place, closer going well when not fluent 2 out, outpaced soon after, stayed on again run-in, 4th of 5, 5 1/4l behind Vocaliser (10-6) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Kilcrea Vale (IRE) 3-1fav (11-10) Chased leader, led 4 out, already headed when mistake 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 10, 9 3/4l behind Cepage (11-9) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Shanahan's Turn (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway on outside 3 out, ridden to chase leaders before next, never on terms, weakened from last, 9th of 22, 22 3/4l behind The Storyteller (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Beau Bay (FR) 9-2 (10-13) Led until 5th, led again after 7th, joined when left clear 3 out, 2 lengths ahead last, ridden run-in, no extra and headed near finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Ashoka (10-4) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Rathlin Rose (IRE) 7-2 (10-5) Slightly hampered 1st, held up in rear, gained a place 10th, closer 15th, 3rd going well 4 out, led 2 out, 4 lengths ahead when not fluent last, pushed out, won at Ascot 3m hcp (2) sft in Mar beating No Duffer (11-1) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Theatre Territory (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) In touch, led before 5 out, headed 3 out, outpaced when not fluent next, soon ridden, stayed on to take 3rd flat, 3rd of 15, 7 3/4l behind Master Dee (11-5) at Kempton 3m hcp (1) gd in Feb.
Indian Temple (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Led to 8th, tracked leader, led again before 4 out, headed 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Knockgraffon (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Notarfbad (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Raced freely, led until 4th, chased leader, led again before 6th where jumped slowly, headed next, lost 2nd 9th, no chance with leading duo, tailed off, 3rd of 4, dist behind Tornado In Milan (10-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Minella On Line (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 4th, driven when challenged 2 out, headed approaching when fell last, at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Newsworthy (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 2nd before 2 out, mistake last, kept on one pace run-in, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Brave Out (11-3) at Wexford 2m 4f hcp hvy in Mar.
Rogue Angel (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Soon led, headed approaching straight, soon no extra and pulled up before 2 out, at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp hvy in Apr.
Greybougg 12-1 (11-9) Led, blundered 5th, headed 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 8, 19l behind Plus Jamais (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Mystifiable 7-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, lost 3rd and lost place at 8th, switched right and rallied next, led on wide outside 4 out, headed next, lost 2nd and no extra in 3rd soon after, 3rd of 7, 26l behind Rock On Rocky (11-6) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Flying Eagle (IRE) 2-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, outpaced 9th, rallied 4 out, no extra after 2 out, 3rd of 4, 4l behind Grey Gold (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 3f (4) sft in Oct.
Art Mauresque (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Prominent, led 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, held when lost 3rd flat, 4th of 15, 9l behind Master Dee (11-5) at Kempton 3m hcp (1) gd in Feb.
Vibrato Valtat (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 4 out, driven to chase leaders next, one pace 2 out, never on terms, 7th of 15, 15l behind Master Dee (11-5) at Kempton 3m hcp (1) gd in Feb.
Highland Lodge (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, towards rear 6th, tailed off before 10th, pulled up, at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.