16:05 Aintree

Friday 4 April 2025

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Randox Supporting Prostate Cancer UK Topham Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race)

Off time: 16:07 | Winning time: 5m 23.72s

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Selected odds by:

Ash Tree Meadow^t¹⁸¹

Age: 9| Weight: 12-0| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 158| BF

80/1

Enhanced good strike rate over fences when accounting for 3 rivals (including Gentleman De Mee) in a Grade 3 at Killarney last spring. However, he has proved rather disappointing since and faces a stiff task under a big weight back in handicap company.

Form: 1-71203

Gentleman De Mee^t³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 11-11| J: M P Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 155| C

14/1

Very smart chaser at his best, winner of a Grade 1 novice at this meeting in 2022 and the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown the following year. Well below his best so far this season, though, and revival needed on belated handicap debut in this sphere.

Form: U35754

Blue Lord^t⁴⁸

Age: 10| Weight: 11-8| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152

5/1

Lightly-raced and generally below par subsequent to Grade 1 success at Leopardstown in December 2022. On the upside, he performed with credit when third in the Betfair Ascot Chase last time and his mark for this handicap bow is a potentially handy one.

Form: 83/4-463

Ga Law^p²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 152| D

25/1

Positive start to this season, runner-up at Chepstow in October and again found just one too good when bidding to repeat his 2022 Paddy Power Gold Cup success at Cheltenham the following month. Form has dipped since, though, and he needs to bounce back.

Form: 2-2295P

James Du Berlais^t³³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-8| J: J J Slevin| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152| D

10/1

Winless since scoring on debut in this sphere at Fairyhouse back in January 2023 but has posted some solid efforts in big handicaps in the interim, not least when runner-up in this race off a 1 lb lower mark 12 months ago. One to consider.

Form: 72-F305

French Dynamite^t,p²³

Age: 10| Weight: 11-5| J: G Brouder⁽³⁾| T: M F Morris| OR: 149

50/1

Resumed winning ways in a 23f Punchestown Grade 3 in October but it’s been pretty much downhill all the way since, well held in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last time. Opposable.

Form: 216550

Ginny's Destiny^p1,t1²²

Age: 9| Weight: 11-4| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 148| D

8/1

Smart novice last term, winning 3 on the bounce at Cheltenham prior to finishing second in Grade 1s at the big spring festivals there and at this course. Not in the same form so far this season, though, and now tried in cheekpieces and a tongue strap.

Form: 22-P307

Minella Drama^t⁶²

Age: 10| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: D McCain Jnr| OR: 148| C| D

50/1

Runner-up in the 2023 Old Roan here and went one better in this season’s renewal of that Grade 2 handicap. Not so good next 2 starts but has edged down to a workable mark and wouldn’t be without each-way hope if taking to these fences.

Form: 72P-1P9

Soul Icon^t²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-1| J: Thomas Bellamy| T: Kieran Burke| OR: 145| BF

12/1

Prolific over hurdles and produced much his best effort to date in this sphere when landing a Grade 2 Kempton handicap during the Christmas period. Hasn’t managed to match that level of form in 2 subsequent starts, though, and others make more appeal.

Form: 224162

Eldorado Allen^t⁵⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 11-1| J: Brendan Powell| T: J Tizzard| OR: 145

28/1

Placed in handicaps at Warwick and Cheltenham off a 5 lb higher mark on first 2 starts of this season. However, he has been found wanting the last twice and was tailed off on his sole previous run over these fences in last year’s Grand National.

Form: P0-2347

Latenightpass²³

Age: 12| Weight: 11-0| J: Jack Andrews⁽³⁾| T: T Ellis| OR: 144| CD

28/1

Scored over these fences in the 2022 Foxhunters and made the frame in the same race in 2021 and 2023. Safely held back here in the Grand Sefton in November but latest second in the Cross Country at the Cheltenham Festival was a solid effort and he merits respect.

Form: 50-03U2

Adamantly Chosen^p³³

Age: 8| Weight: 11-0| J: Brian Hayes| T: W P Mullins| OR: 144

50/1

All 3 wins over fences have come in non-handicaps and it’s been a struggle off similar marks to this since he returned to action in December. Others preferred.

Form: 0-79059

Glengouly⁷¹

Age: 9| Weight: 11-0| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 144

33/1

Hasn’t managed to add to Thurles chase debut success back in 2022 and he was out of contention when unseating at the final fence in the Thyestes at Gowran last time. Conversely, he would be a player off this mark if reproducing the pick of last season’s form.

Form: 20U-P6U

Marble Sands⁴¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-13| J: Kielan Woods| T: D Killahena & G McPherson| OR: 143| D

14/1

Won twice as a novice last term and added to his tally when taking a 4-runner listed contest at Carlisle in November. Creditable efforts in a trio of good-quality handicaps since and this 9-y-o is by no means a forlorn hope.

Form: 16-1325

Fantastic Lady^p²²

Age: 10| Weight: 10-12| J: James Bowen| T: N J Henderson| OR: 142

20/1

Winner of 4 of her 17 starts in this sphere. Initial experience of these fences wasn’t a positive one in this race in 2022 (unseated at the first) but she has acquitted herself well in both subsequent renewals and is dangerous to discount.

Form: 61-423P

Amirite²⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 10-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 142| D

18/1

Just a Fairyhouse maiden chase success to his name from a dozen starts over fences but the suspicion remains that he has a good pot in him, a notion backed up by his good second in a valuable Kilbeggan handicap off this mark last summer. Needs considering.

Form: 5-29074

Gemirande²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-11| J: Charlie Deutsch| T: Miss V Williams| OR: 141| D

50/1

Hit the ground running at the start of the season, making all on return at Ascot in November prior to following up in the valuable December Gold Cup at Cheltenham. However, his form has dipped pretty badly since and he’s probably worth taking on.

Form: 0-11670

Bad^b²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-10| J: Ben Jones| T: B Pauling| OR: 140| D

15/2

Proved rather frustrating prior to his ready breakthrough success over fences at Kempton (20.5f, good) in February. Struck again off 9 lb higher mark over the same C&D last month but, having gone up another 6 lb since, he now has more on his plate.

Form: 232F11

Grandeur D'ame²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Tom Cannon| T: A King| OR: 138

25/1

Better than ever when outpointing Ga Law on return at Chepstow in October and had a few of these behind when going close at Cheltenham on penultimate start. Stamina possibly stretched upped to 25f there last time and could have a say back down in trip here.

Form: UP-1520

Mars Harper^p,t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-8| J: Sam Ewing| T: G Elliott| OR: 138

40/1

Winner of just 2 of his 26 chase starts and latest success was back in 2023. That said, he performed with great credit when putting in good late work to finish fourth of 20 in the Plate at last month’s Cheltenham Festival and a reproduction of that would give him a chance.

Form: 520044

The King Of Prs^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Conor Stone-Walsh⁽³⁾| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 138

25/1

Has resumed in good order this season, close up in handicaps at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown in November/December prior to landing a good pot back at the former course in January. Possibilities if able to shrug off last month’s low-key display at the Cheltenham Festival.

Form: F4-2310

The Goffer^t²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-7| J: Danny Gilligan| T: G Elliott| OR: 137| D

14/1

It’s been more than 2 years since he last got his head in front but he didn’t run badly in last season’s Grand National here and warmed up for this with a creditable effort in the Cross Country at Cheltenham last month. Couldn’t rule out.

Form: 0P7754

Dreal Deal^t²⁶

Age: 10| Weight: 10-7| J: Callum Pritchard⁽⁵⁾| T: J C McConnell| OR: 137| D

66/1

Struck twice over fences last spring and performed above market expectations when third in the 9-runner Galway handicap won by Saint Roi last August. Pulled up on first appearance since at Market Rasen, though, and likely to find this too competitive.

Form: 24563P

Shantreusse^p³⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-6| J: Darragh O'Keeffe| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 136

14/1

Record stands at 0-12 over fences but produced one of his better efforts when runner-up in a listed handicap at Navan last month. Would’ve finished closer than he did when seventh of 30 in this race last year but for a mistake at the fifth-last and he’s an each-way candidate.

Form: 27-3F72

Jetoile^p,t²⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-6| J: Freddie Mitchell⁽⁵⁾| T: R Potter| OR: 136| C| D

33/1

Winner of the Old Roan on the Mildmay Course here in October 2023 and signed off last term with a good effort in a valuable Punchestown handicap. However, majority of what he’s shown so far this season leaves him with a fair bit to find.

Form: 0P672P

Lounge Lizard^b³³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: H D Daly| OR: 135

20/1

Back to form when narrowly taking a 2½m Huntingdon last month, following up his victory in the same race 12 months earlier. 4 lb rise isn’t the end of the world by any means but this is a tougher assignment.

Form: 21-34P1

Lisnamult Lad^t,p⁶²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-5| J: J J Burke| T: Ian Donoghue| OR: 135| D

22/1

Delivered a good round of jumping when scoring at Cheltenham during the autumn and, having failed to complete on his next 2 starts, he got back on track to an extent when fifth of 14 at Leopardstown since. Still, others look stronger here.

Form: 441FP5

Western Zephyr²³

Age: 8| Weight: 10-3| J: S Bowen| T: C E Longsdon| OR: 133

50/1

Resumed in good order on the back of a wind op this season, winning well on return at Carlisle in October and second in the Arkle Trial at Cheltenham next time. No show last 2 starts, though, and now finds himself with a point to prove.

Form: 4P-1230

Escaria Ten^v1²³

Age: 11| Weight: 10-3| J: James Best| T: M Keighley| OR: 133

66/1

Well-handicapped judged on form from a few seasons back and has a couple of respectable efforts under his belt this season. On the downside, he was put in his place in the Cross Country at the Cheltenham Festival last time and now tried in a visor.

Form: P0-P448

Excello^p1²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: N de Boinville| T: N J Henderson| OR: 132| D

10/1

French import who looked good when winning a small-field graduation chase at Ascot last term. Campaigned primarily over hurdles this season before a respectable effort when fourth back in this sphere at Sandown. Claims if the first-time cheekpieces help eke out a bit more.

Form: P-22374

Forecasts

Blue Lord (5/1), Bad (15/2), Ginny's Destiny (8/1), James Du Berlais (10/1), Excello (10/1), Soul Icon (12/1), Gentleman De Mee (14/1), The Goffer (14/1), Marble Sands (14/1), Shantreusse (14/1), Amirite (18/1), Lounge Lizard (20/1), Fantastic Lady (20/1), Lisnamult Lad (22/1), The King Of Prs (25/1), Ga Law (25/1), Grandeur D'ame (25/1), Eldorado Allen (28/1), Latenightpass (28/1), Jetoile (33/1), Glengouly (33/1), Mars Harper (40/1), Adamantly Chosen (50/1), Gemirande (50/1), French Dynamite (50/1), Minella Drama (50/1), Western Zephyr (50/1), Dreal Deal (66/1), Escaria Ten (66/1), Ash Tree Meadow (80/1)

Paul Townend’s decision to partner BLUE LORD ahead of last year’s runner-up James du Berlais looks significant and the 10-y-o is taken to make a belated winning handicap debut in this sphere off an attractive mark. It could be a clean sweep for the Irish, with The Goffer third on the list ahead of Amirite. Fantastic Lady could prove to be the pick of the British-trained runners, while Grandeur d'Ame and Latenightpass also make each-way appeal.