*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Al Dancer bids to make it back-to-back victories over Aintree’s iconic spruce fences when he tackles the Topham Handicap Chase at 4.05pm on Friday.
Sam Thomas’ charge beat Gesskille, who reopposes, by a neck in last year’s Grand Sefton but a field of 29 runners, including Becher Chase winner Ashtown Lad, are set to go to post.
Willie Mullins saddles four runners and the quartet fill the top spots in the weights, topped by Haut En Couleurs.
Topham Handicap Chase odds can be found on the Paddy Power website, Paddy Power app or via our snazzy betting widgets, otherwise Timeform’s horse-by-horse guide to the runners and betting tips from the racing boffins are below.
READ MORE: GRAND NATIONAL LIVE STREAM | GRAND NATIONAL ON TV | AINTREE FAST RESULTS | GRAND NATIONAL RUNNERS
Topham Handicap Chase tips
Timeform: HAUT EN COULEURS produced another highly likeable display when fifth in the Plate and, as an assured jumper, he strikes as the sort to take to these fences, so he makes the most appeal. Al Dancer and Ashtown Lad have both won here already this term and appear to have been laid out for a big run, so they head the numerous dangers in another fascinating renewal.
Topham Handicap Chase runners
Haut En Couleurs
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: P. Townend Age: 6 Weight: 12st 0lbs
Very smart chaser who fell in Kinloch Brae Chase in January (looked likely winner) and no disgrace in losing out to stablemate Janidil in Grade 2 Red Mills Chase at Gowran on penultimate start. Again ran well when fifth in the Plate a month ago and another bold showing seems likely.
*****
Burrows Saint
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Mr P. W. Mullins Age: 10 Weight: 11st 9lbs
Smart chaser who hasn’t been at his best for a while but finds himself on an appealing mark as a result and should be better for his latest outing at Down Royal. Fourth in the 2021 Grand National, so looks a player if he can lie up with the early pace down in trip.
****
Ciel De Neige
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: M. P. Walsh Age: 8 Weight: 11st 9lbs
Smart chaser who has seemingly been brought along gradually this term, not finding a great deal having loomed up going well in a valuable handicap at Leopardstown a couple of months ago. No surprise if this has been the aim all along.
****
Fan De Blues
Trainer: W. P. Mullins Jockey: Daryl Jacob Age: 8 Weight: 11st 9lbs
Smart chaser who lost his form in the winter but has had a break since and no surprise if his top handler has got him back on track.
***
Final Orders
Trainer: Gavin Patrick Cromwell Jockey: Keith Donoghue Age: 7 Weight: 11st 7lbs
Has been nothing short of a revelation for these connections and completed a 5-timer over fences in comprehensive style in valuable 2m handicap at Leopardstown in February. Shaped as if still in form in the Grand Annual and deserves respect.
****
Al Dancer
Trainer: Sam Thomas Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 10 Weight: 11st 6lbs
Smart chaser who returned as good as ever when landing the Grand Sefton over C&D and, having been off since, he appears to have been laid out for another big run, so merits strong consideration.
****
Il Ridoto
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 6 Weight: 11st 3lbs
Useful novice chaser who was threatening another big performance and duly delivered (in first-time cheekpieces) when taking 16-runner handicap at Cheltenham on Trials Day. Solid showing when sixth in Plate at the Festival and likely to give another good account.
****
Gin On Lime
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: D. J. O’Keeffe Age: 7 Weight: 11st 2lbs
Useful chaser. Course winner. Respectable fourth of 16 in handicap chase at Listowel last September and didn’t get far in the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham last month.
**
Epson Du Houx
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Shane Fitzgerald Age: 9 Weight: 11st 2lbs
Has looked in form this season, albeit not quite at his best when only sixth in the Grand Annual last time. Hood goes back on but he’s unproven over the trip.
***
Ashtown Lad
Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 9 Weight: 11st 1lbs
Took very well to these fences when landing the Becher in December and at least respectable efforts over hurdles both outings since. Should give a good account.
****
Upping The Anti
Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 7 Weight: 10st 13lbs
Useful chaser who ran creditably up in grade when 13 lengths second of 6 to Flame Bearer in Gr 3 chase (14/1) at Thurles (18f, soft) 27 days ago. Needs to improve again to feature in this.
***
Fantastic Lady
Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico de Boinville Age: 8 Weight: 10st 12lbs
Very useful chaser who won a 3m Market Rasen listed mares’ race on her reappearance in November but no impact in a competitive handicap at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Could bounce back after a break.
***
Battleoverdoyen
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Kieren Buckley Age: 10 Weight: 10st 12lbs
Grade 1 winner in his pomp but just useful nowadays. Losing run is mounting up and was pulled up at Cheltenham last time. Others preferred.
**
Gesskille
Trainer: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero Jockey: Henry Brooke Age: 7 Weight: 10st 11lbs
Ex-French chaser who has done well for this yard and ran with plenty of credit over these fences twice in the autumn. Respectable effort at Doncaster last time and freshened up by his shrewd stable, so makes plenty of appeal.
****
Top Ville Ben
Trainer: Philip Kirby Jockey: Thomas Dowson Age: 11 Weight: 10st 10lbs
Not the force of old but his mark now reflects that and was a good 3 lengths third of 23 to The Goffer in handicap chase (28/1) at Leopardstown on penultimate outing. Pulled up in the Ultimate at Cheltenham since.
**
Phoenix Way
Trainer: Harry Fry Jockey: K. Brogan Age: 10 Weight: 10st 9lbs
Runner-up in a valuable Ascot handicap last winter prior to going one better back ther next time. Better than recent form figures suggest, hampered latest start, and certainly not discounted with cheekpieces on for the first time.
****
Batcio
Trainer: T. M. Walsh Jockey: B. Hayes Age: 11 Weight: 10st 9lbs
Unseated rider in minor event chase at Clonmel (19.9f, heavy, 33/1) 24 days ago, held at the time but likely to have needed the run. Should be much closer to form with that run under his belt and he was runner-up in this last year.
***
Demachine
Trainer: Kerry Lee Jockey: Jonathan Burke Age: 9 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Low-mileage 9-y-o who gained a third victory over fences following second breathing op at Uttoxeter almost a year ago. Solid showing at Newbury next time but unable to build on that since.
**
Kiltealy Briggs
Trainer: Jamie Snowden Jockey: A. P. Heskin Age: 9 Weight: 10st 8lbs
Back on track with 21.5f Market Rasen handicap success on his reappearance in October. Not at best at Wincanton subsequently, though, and others make more appeal in this competitive event.
**
Numitor
Trainer: Heather Main Jockey: Adam Wedge Age: 9 Weight: 10st 6lbs
Facile victory at Doncaster (19f, heavy) over a year ago. Well held first 2 starts this season but back to form the last twice and isn’t out of it.
***
Hereditary Rule
Trainer: John McConnell Jockey: S. D. TorrensAge: 8 Weight: 10st 6lbs
Took well to chasing last year, gaining third small-field victory in Cartmel novice (21f) in August. Cashed in off much lower hurdles mark at Downpatrick next time and, then shaped well at Cheltenham. Down the field in a big handicap at the latter course 29 days ago but could bounce back.
**
Quel Destin
Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Non-Runner Age: 8 Weight: 10st 6lbs
Non-Runner.
Hardline
Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: R. A. Doyle Age: 11 Weight: 10st 6lbs
Useful chaser who has underperformed in cross-country events the last twice and looks firmly up against it here.
*
Bill Baxter
Trainer: Warren Greatrex Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Age: 7 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Progressive chaser who has landed his last 3 starts, the last two coming at Kelso. Jumps well for a novice and could take to these obstacles, so merits respect.
***
Celebre D’allen
Trainer: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Jockey: Micheal Nolan Age: 11 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Returned from a long absence with a bang last season, winning 3 handicaps (2 hurdle, 1 chase) and fine fifth in Plate. Just respectable efforts at best this term, including in another renewal of the last-named race, and he’s not that interesting for win purposes.
**
Cooper’s Cross
Trainer: Stuart Coltherd Jockey: Sam Coltherd Age: 8 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Made a winning return from 6 months off at Carlisle (2½m) in October. At least as good when placed at Aintree/Musselburgh before taking things up a notch when landing Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster. Only sixth there last time (broke blood vessel) and might well get back on track.
***
Equus Dancer
Trainer: Peter Bowen Jockey: Sean Bowen Age: 9 Weight: 10st 4lbs
Enhanced his impressive strike rate after 18 months off in 7-runner handicap chase at Hereford (20.9f) in December and followed up in comfortable fashion over hurdles at Uttoxeter last month. Likeable type who is still unexposed in this sphere.
***
Killer Kane
Trainer: Joe Tizzard Jockey: Brendan Powell Age: 8 Weight: 10st 3lbs
Impressed when landing a gamble at Kempton in February and wasn’t disgraced over the same C&D next time. Others look better treated but he’s not completely dismissed.
***
Dorking Lad
Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: Jamie Moore Age: 8 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Resumed winning ways in a 20.5f Kempton handicap in November, drawing right away to score by 16 lengths. Has failed to complete on both subsequent outings but was running creditably at Ascot on latter occasion. Jumping is a concern over these fences.
**
Fantastikas
Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Jordan Nailor Age: 8 Weight: 10st 2lbs
Progressive novice chaser last term but disappointing this time around and has a bit to prove.
**
Aintree Day 2 Tips
- Matt Chapman’s horse racing tips for Friday at Aintree
- Horse Racing Tips: Rory Delargy’s got a 50/1 each-way fancy on Friday at Aintree
- Aintree Tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s Friday fancies
- Aintree Betting Tips: Jane Mangan’s Friday fancies for Day 2 of the Grand National Festival
- Ruby Walsh’s Aintree Cheat Sheet: Friday betting tips for the Grand National Festival
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