Neil Morrice previews the Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase (Grade 3) – the fifth race on Day 2 of the Randox Health Grand National racing festival at Aintree. Get his preview and predicted finish for the race below, and get your bets on with Hollywoodbets.
Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
17:05 – Race 5 – 2M 5F 19Y
The final race over the National fences before the big one features a solid favourite in JANIKA who takes a strong profile to post for Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty. The JP McManus-owned mare has a willing attitude to racing and an economical jumping technique that should lend itself to this race over slightly more than a circuit of the Grand National course. Don’t be put off by that fact she’s finished second in all three of her outings this season – she’s thoroughly genuine and under 11st 12lb ran a stormer to gondown fighting by threequarters of a length to Siruh Du Lac in the Brown Advisory Plate at the Cheltenham Festival. In some schooling over a special ‘ Aintree’ style fence in Lambourn she was electric the other day.
Henderson has a second string to his bow in the shape of O O SEVEN who is on the same mark as when finishing fourth in this two years ago. He’s been campaigned sparingly and is the type that could get competetive.
Although he hasn’t won for two years HENRYVILLE needs to be taken seriously for new trainer Peter Bowen, having dropped 12lb in the ratings to a tempting mark. Furthermore he has twice shown an affinity for these fences, albeit when with another trainer. But Bowen as we know is a master at preparing one for the Topham, having sent out Always Waining to win it three times in a row, a record that is unlikely ever to be matched. Henryville finished eight in this last season and also placed in the Grand Sefton Chase. He’s a spring horse but wouldn’t want the ground to go soft.
Equally fascinating is ADRIEN DU PONT who was given a lot to do when third to Walt at Kempton but didn’t compete at Cheltenham, having been trained with this race in mind by Paul Nicholls. I find it hard to know why his Kempton run didn’t attract the attention of the Stewards, as he was last turning in only to pick up and fly when the birds had flown. I don’t know why he didn’t win that day, but am willing to pay to find out. This horse needs to be backed to make amends. I just hope he doesn’t get too far back.
Assuring there’s a furious pace up front will be CADMIUM and DIMPLE. They are good jumpers but the latter needs better ground to be seen to maximum effect and it doesn’t look like he’ll get it.
Predicted Finish
7 – 1 – 20 – 5 – 6
1st – ADRIEN DU PONT (7)
2nd – Janika (1)
3rd – Henryville (20)
4th – CADMIUM (5)
5th – O O SEVEN (6)
Bet on the Topham Handicap Chase at Aintree now with Hollywoodbets. Click here!
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Get Neil Morrice’s previews on the following Grand National races at Aintree on Day 2:
JLT Chase (Gr 1)
Topham Handicap Chase (Gr 3)
Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
