Topham Handicap Chase tips and runner-by-runner guide to Aintree 4.05 on Friday

Can Bill Baxter make it two in a row?

Bill Baxter wins the Topham at Aintree

By / Horse Racing Tips / 9 months ago

Bill Baxter is set to face a maximum of 24 rivals in his bid to win the Topham Handicap Chase for the second year in a row at Aintree on Friday.

Warren Greatrex’s stable star pulled well clear of the rest along with Fantastic Lady, who is back for another crack, in last year’s renewal and is only 1lb higher in the ratings after a winless campaign from five starts.

Shakem Up’arry could be the ace in the pack after a taking success in the Plate Handicap Chase at last month’s Cheltenham Festival although the Harry Redknapp-owned horse is racing off a career-high mark of 149.

The latest Topham Handicap Chase odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.

Topham Handicap Chase verdict

Timeform: Plenty are in with a shout. SHAKEM UP’ARRY impressed when landing the Plate at last month’s Festival and with his jumping an asset he can complete a hat-trick in this prestigious event. Irish-challenger Life In The Park could emerge as the main danger after coming home a very good fourth behind Ben Pauling’s upwardly-mobile chaser at Cheltenham, although a solid case can also be made for last year’s winner Bill Baxter and the Willie Mullins-trained duo Classic Getaway and James du Berlais.

*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

Topham Handicap Chase runners and riders

The following horses have been declared for the Topham Handicap Chase 2024.

Classic Getaway

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Patrick Mullins Age: 8 Weight: 12st

Kicked off this term with success at Thurles in November but failed to get home when an odds-on third of 5 in conditions event at Down Royal (26.2f, soft) 26 days ago. Can make his presence felt back in trip for yard with good record in this.

James Du Berlais

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Paul Townend Age: 8 Weight: 11st 10lbs

Consistent sort but he’s been winless in this sphere since his debut in January, 2023. Creditable seventh of 21 to Shakem Up’arry in handicap chase at Cheltenham (20.6f, soft) 29 days ago. Can give another good account.

Shakem Up’arry

Trainer: Ben Pauling Jockey: Ben Jones Age: 10 Weight: 11st 8lbs

Jumped very well as usual when bagging 2m4f handicap chases at Cheltenham this year, on the latter occasion in the Plate when always holding on. Up another 6 lb but big shout in his hat-trick bid.

Empire Steel

Trainer: Sandy Thomson Jockey: Ryan Mania Age: 10 Weight: 11st 4lbs

Resumed winning ways on the back of a wind op in 5-runner handicap chase at Kelso (21.6f, soft) 56 days ago. Much respected despite taking a 3 lb weights rise.

Fantastic Lady

Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico de Boinville Age: 9 Weight: 11st 3lbs

Made up into a useful winning chaser last term but pulled up in listed chase at Doncaster (20.5f, soft) 105 days ago. Runner-up in this 12 months ago and she’s the sort to bounce back after a break.

Embittered

Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Sam Ewing Age: 10 Weight: 11st 2lbs

Back to winning ways at Navan in December. Respectable eleventh of 21 to Shakem Up’arry in the Plate at Cheltenham (20.6f, soft) 29 days ago. In the picture.

Richmond Lake

Trainer: Donald McCain Jockey: Theo Gillard Age: 8 Weight: 11st 2lbs

Course winner who was running creditably when fell last in handicap chase at Kelso (21.6f, soft) 56 days ago. Possibilities.

Flegmatik

Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Age: 9 Weight: 11st 2lbs

Ended a near 2-year losing run when scoring at Kempton in January. Took his form up a notch when an excellent runner-up there (2m4f) last time so can go well again.

Kandoo Kid

Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Age: 8 Weight: 11st 1lbs

Back to winning ways at Newbury in December and posted a good second of 9 in handicap chase there (19.8f, soft) 41 days ago. Needs considering.

Aime Desjy

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Danny Mullins Age: 9 Weight: 11st

Has taken well to chasing and readily landed the odds in novice chase at Gowran (20f, heavy) 34 days ago. Not without interest now going into handicaps.

Life In The Park

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Age: 7 Weight: 10st 13lbs

Tongue strap on for 1st time when very good fourth of 21 to Shakem Up’arry in the Plate at Cheltenham (20.6f, soft) 29 days ago. This Irish raider is weighted to go well nudged up 1 lb.

Quel Destin

Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Brony Frost Age: 9 Weight: 10st 11lbs

Made it 2-2 in a change of headgear (blinkers replaced cheekpieces) in 4-runner Chepstow handicap chase in December. Only fourth of five back there since but he’s the sort to bounce back.

Celebre D’Allen

Trainer: Philip Hobbs & Johnson White Jockey: Micheal Nolan Age: 12 Weight: 10st 10lbs

Course winner in October. 50/1, still going well when hampered and unseated rider 17th in Kim Muir at Cheltenham (26f, soft) 29 days ago. Holds solid claims.

Your Darling

Trainer: Ben Pauling Jockey: Kielan Woods Age: 9 Weight: 10st 10lbs

Unreliable sort but he posted a career best when winning 8-runner handicap chase at Ascot (21f, good to soft) 140 days ago by 9 lengths from Flegmatik. In the mix if on his A-game again.

Arizona Cardinal

Trainer: Stuart Edmunds Jockey: Ciaran Gethings Age: 8 Weight: 10st 10lbs

Arrives on a hat-trick after 23f handicap chase wins at Leicester and Ludlow this year. Hiked up 9 lb but still can’t be dismissed in his current mood.

Shantreusse

Trainer: Henry de Bromhead Jockey: Darragh O’Keeffe Age: 8 Weight: 10st 9lbs

Still to win over fences but he comes here on the back of a good second of 10 in handicap chase at Naas (20f, heavy) 47 days ago. One for the shortlist.

Lounge Lizard

Non Runner.

The Edgar Wallace

Trainer: Kim Bailey Jockey: David Bass Age: 9 Weight: 10st 9lbs

Is enjoying a good season and scored around 2m4f at Wetherby and Leiceser before Christmas. Recorded a good second of 4 in handicap chase at Newcastle (20.1f, soft) 48 days ago so he can’t be dismissed.

Good Boy Bobby

Trainer:  Nigel Twiston-Davies Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Age: 11 Weight: 10st 8lbs

Dual scorer (at up to 3m) earlier this term but unsuited by drop in trip when fifth of 7 in handicap chase at Exeter (19.2f, heavy) 24 days ago, Not ruled out back over further.

Bill Baxter

Trainer: Warren Greatrex Jockey: James Bowen Age: 8 Weight: 10st 7lbs

Took this 12 months ago but he turned in a laboured effort when only sixth of 9 in handicap chase (9/2) at Newbury (19.8f, soft) 41 days ago. Cheekpieces go on now so he still merits consideration.

Francky Du Berlais

Trainer: Peter Bowen Jockey: Robert Dunne Age: 11 Weight: 10st 7lbs

Won the 2022 Summer Plate at Market Rasen and some good efforts since, including when runner-up in a cross-country event at Cheltenham in December. Possibly needed the run when well held at Kempton last time but others still appeal more.

Grandads Cottage

Trainer: Olly Murphy Jockey: Sean Bowen Age: 9 Weight: 10st 7lbs

Irish point/hurdles winner who added to his tally in a first-time tongue strap at Leicester in January. Backed it up with a good fourth of 6 in handicap chase at Kempton (20.5f, soft) 48 days ago. No forlorn hope.

Frero Banbou

Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Age: 9 Weight: 10st 4lbs

Winless for over 2 years but consistent sort who recorded a good sixth of 21 to Shakem Up’arry in the Plate at Cheltenham (20.6f, soft) 29 days ago. Not taken lightly off a falling mark.

Ciel De Neige

Trainer: Ben Haslam Jockey: Richie McLernon Age: 9 Weight: 10st 3lbs

Smart chaser at his peak for Willie Mullins but he’s yet to fire in 3 outings for his present stable and he’s hard to make a case for.

Killer Kane

Trainer: Joe Tizzard Jockey: Brendan Powell Age: 9 Weight: 10st 2lbs

Winless since early 2023 and cheekpieces tried for the first time when fifteenth of 21 to Shakem Up’arry in the Plate at Cheltenham (20.6f, soft) 29 days ago. Others are preferred.

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