Fahey targeting spoils as entries unveiled for Aintree's Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
- Entries are revealed today for the two other races over the Grand National fences during the Randox Health Grand National Festival - the £45,000 Randox Health Foxhunters' Chase (4.05pm, Grand National Thursday, April 4) and the £140,000 G3 Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase (4.05pm Ladies Day, Friday, April 5).
Both chases are staged over two miles, five furlongs and 19 yards, and the maximum field size is 30.
Ultragold
(Colin Tizzard) has won the Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase for the last two years, including at 50/1 in 2017, and the 11-year-old is among 76 entries for this year's edition.
Ultragold has the opportunity to emulate Always Waining (2010, 2011, 2012), the only triple winner of the Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase, though connections have indicated that he is more likely to contest the £1-million Randox Health Grand National on Saturday, April 6.
Ultragold
Champion Jump trainer Nicky Henderson has five Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase triumphs to his name and recently won three successive renewals with Triolo D'Alene (2013), Ma Filleule (2014) and Rajdhani Express (2015).
The Lambourn handler has 10 entries in total, the most of any trainer, including G3 Ultima Handicap Chase victor Beware The Bear and likely top-weight Janika, who took second in the G3 Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate at Cheltenham on March 14.
Willie Mullins accounts for three of the 11 Irish-trained entries this year, with his team including dual G3 scorer Cadmium and Leinster National third Bellow Mome. No Irish-trained horse has captured the Randox Health Topham Chase since Cregg House in 2005.
Gordon Elliott has Irish Grand National hero General Principle among three entries, while Henry De Bromhead is double-handed with Sub Lieutenant and Valseur Lido. All three horses are owned by Gigginstown House Stud.
Co Kildare handler Peter Fahey is targeting the Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase with classy performer Peregrine Run.
A G2 winner over hurdles at Cheltenham in November, 2016, Peregrine Run has since won five of his 11 chase starts. The nine-year-old enjoyed a fruitful campaign in the early part of this season, winning a competitive handicap chase at Killarney in August and the Listed M.W. Hickey Memorial Chase at Wexford in October. He has not raced since finishing fourth behind Snow Falcon in a G2 contest for second-season chasers at Down Royal on November 3.
Fahey revealed: "Peregrine Run is in good form. He will have a run over hurdles at Thurles this weekend and that will hopefully leave him spot on for Aintree.
"We had a good time of it with him in the earlier in the season. We wanted to give him a winter break but, with the way things worked out with the ground over here, we probably ended up giving him a break at the wrong time.
"The last time he ran in handicap, I thought he was very impressive at Killarney. I am looking forward to getting him back in a handicap - he is a quick, accurate jumper and I think the Topham will suit provided the ground is in his favour."
Other high-profile entries for the Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase include Double Shuffle (Tom George) and recent G3 Greatwood Gold Cup scorer San Benedeto, one of six entries for Paul Nicholls.
44 entries for Randox Health Foxhunters' Chase
There are 44 entries for the £45,000 Randox Health Foxhunters' Chase, up from 38 in 2018.
They include Road To Rome (Joseph O'Shea) who ran a gallant race from the front when fourth in the St. James's Place Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham on March 15. Ucello Conti (Gordon Elliott IRE), who has contested the Randox Health Grand National for the last three years, was a place further back in fifth.
Balnaslow
(Graham McKeever IRE) and Bear's Affair (Philip Rowley) fought out the finish to the 2018 Randox Health Foxhunters' Chase and could lock horns again.
Owner David Maxwell has six entries to choose from, as he continues his quest to be crowned champion amateur jockey. They include Cheltenham third Shantou Flyer (Richard Hobson) and other familiar names such as Road To Riches (David Christie IRE), a G1 winner in his pomp for Noel Meade, and Unioniste (Paul Nicholls).
Leading Irish-trained runner Burning Ambition (Pierce Power) is also engaged.
The Randox Health Topham Chase
Grade 3 handicap chase, £140,000 Total Prize Fund
. Friday, April 5, 2019, 2m 5f 19yds over the Grand National fences. For five-year-olds and upwards. Penalties: after March 24, a winner of a chase 4lb; no penalty to increase a horse's weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed March 19, entries revealed March 20 (76 entries), six-day confirmations March 30, final declarations 10am April 4. Maximum field 30 runners.
|
Horse
|
Age
|
Owner
|
Trainer
|
|
ACDC (IRE)
|
9
|
D&D Armstrong Ltd
|
Chris Grant
|
|
ACTIVIAL (FR)
|
9
|
R S Brookhouse
|
Tom George
|
|
ADRIEN DU PONT (FR)
|
7
|
Mrs Johnny de la Hey
|
Paul Nicholls
|
|
ASCOT DE BRUYERE (FR)
|
9
|
The Steel Bonnets
|
James Ewart
|
|
BALLYHILL (FR)
|
8
|
Simon Such & Gino Paletta
|
Nigel Twiston-Davies
|
|
BEAU BAY (FR)
|
8
|
Peter Green & Dr RDP Newland
|
Dr Richard Newland
|
|
BEGGAR'S WISHES (IRE)
|
8
|
Roddy Owen & Paul Fullagar
|
Peter Bowen
|
|
BELLOW MOME (FR)
|
8
|
Mrs Audrey Turley
|
Willie Mullins IRE
|
|
BEWARE THE BEAR (IRE)
|
9
|
G B Barlow
|
Nicky Henderson
|
|
BIGMARTRE (FR)
|
8
|
P J Dixon
|
Harry Whittington
|
|
BLACK SCORPION (IRE)
|
8
|
Don't Go There Syndicate
|
Eric McNamara IRE
|
|
BORN SURVIVOR (IRE)
|
8
|
Mrs G Widdowson & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes
|
Dan Skelton
|
|
CADMIUM (FR)
|
7
|
Supreme Horse Racing Club/K Sharp
|
Willie Mullins IRE
|
|
CALL IT MAGIC (IRE)
|
9
|
Mrs Z Wentworth
|
Ross O'Sullivan IRE
|
|
CAPTAIN REDBEARD (IRE)
|
10
|
S Coltherd
|
Stuart Coltherd
|
|
CASABLANCA MIX (FR)
|
7
|
E R Hanbury
|
Nicky Henderson
|
|
CHIC NAME (FR)
|
7
|
The Boom Syndicate
|
Richard Hobson
|
|
CLAN LEGEND
|
9
|
Clan Gathering
|
Nick Alexander
|
|
CLONDAW WESTIE (IRE)
|
8
|
Mrs Frank Caudwell
|
Lawney Hill
|
|
COMMIS D'OFFICE (FR)
|
7
|
Julian Blackwell & Mrs Angus Maclay
|
Venetia Williams
|
|
CRIEVEHILL (IRE)
|
7
|
Highclere T'Bred Racing- Crievehill
|
Nigel Twiston-Davies
|
|
DIMPLE (FR)
|
8
|
D&D Armstrong Ltd
|
Sandy Thomson
|
|
DIVINE SPEAR (IRE)
|
8
|
Middleham Park Racing LXII
|
Nicky Henderson
|
|
DOITFORTHEVILLAGE (IRE)
|
10
|
The Rockbourne Partnership
|
Paul Henderson
|
|
DOUBLE SHUFFLE (IRE)
|
9
|
Crossed Fingers Partnership
|
Tom George
|
|
DUKE DES CHAMPS (IRE)
|
9
|
Diana Whateley & Tim Syder
|
Philip Hobbs
|
|
ECHIQUIER (FR)
|
5
|
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
|
Nigel Twiston-Davies
|
|
ENJOY RESPONSIBLY (IRE)
|
10
|
John Beswick
|
Oliver Sherwood
|
|
EQUUS SECRETUS (IRE)
|
7
|
The Bourtoneers
|
Ben Pauling
|
|
EXITAS (IRE)
|
11
|
P Middleton, M Lowther
|
Phil Middleton
|
|
FACT OF THE MATTER (IRE)
|
9
|
The Sandylini Racing Partnership
|
Jamie Snowden
|
|
FEDERICI
|
10
|
M Four Properties Ltd
|
Donald McCain
|
|
FLYING ANGEL (IRE)
|
8
|
R J Rexton
|
Nigel Twiston-Davies
|
|
FOREST DES AIGLES (FR)
|
8
|
Raymond & Anita Anderson Green
|
Lucinda Russell
|
|
GENERAL PRINCIPLE (IRE)
|
10
|
Gigginstown House Stud
|
Gordon Elliott IRE
|
|
GLEN ROCCO
|
8
|
Jeremy Kyle, Ged Mason, David Stevens
|
Nick Gifford
|
|
GOLD OPERA (IRE)
|
10
|
Straightline Bloodstock
|
Keith Dalgleish
|
|
GOLD PRESENT (IRE)
|
9
|
John & Barbara Cotton
|
Nicky Henderson
|
|
HENRYVILLE
|
11
|
Roddy Owen & Paul Fullagar
|
Peter Bowen
|
|
HIGHLAND LODGE (IRE)
|
13
|
Cheveley Park Stud
|
James Moffatt
|
|
HOGAN'S HEIGHT (IRE)
|
8
|
Foxtrot Racing: Hogan's Height
|
Jamie Snowden
|
|
HOLLY BUSH HENRY (IRE)
|
8
|
P Middleton, M Lowther
|
Phil Middleton
|
|
INDIAN TEMPLE (IRE)
|
10
|
Ken Huddleston
|
Tim Reed
|
|
JANIKA (FR)
|
6
|
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
|
Nicky Henderson
|
|
JAVERT (IRE)
|
10
|
Axom LII
|
Emma Lavelle
|
|
JUNCTION FOURTEEN (IRE)
|
10
|
Martin St Quinton & Tim Syder
|
Emma Lavelle
|
|
KILCREA VALE (IRE)
|
9
|
Alan Spence
|
Nicky Henderson
|
|
MERCIAN PRINCE (IRE)
|
8
|
Paul Murphy
|
Amy Murphy
|
|
MORE BUCK'S (IRE)
|
9
|
P Duffy, D Semmens, V Williams & M Bowen
|
Peter Bowen
|
|
O O SEVEN (IRE)
|
9
|
Christopher Hanbury
|
Nicky Henderson
|
|
OUT SAM
|
10
|
D Charlesworth
|
Gordon Elliott IRE
|
|
PEREGRINE RUN (IRE)
|
9
|
V Byrne
|
Peter Fahey IRE
|
|
POLIDAM (FR)
|
10
|
Simon Munir/Isaac Souede
|
Willie Mullins IRE
|
|
RATHER BE (IRE)
|
8
|
Matt & Lauren Morgan
|
Nicky Henderson
|
|
RATHLIN ROSE (IRE)
|
11
|
Fergus Wilson
|
David Pipe
|
|
ROMAIN DE SENAM (FR)
|
7
|
Chris Giles & Dan Macdonald
|
Paul Nicholls
|
|
SAN BENEDETO (FR)
|
8
|
P J Vogt
|
Paul Nicholls
|
|
SHANAHAN'S TURN (IRE)
|
11
|
Ann & Alan Potts Limited
|
Colin Tizzard
|
|
SHANTOU VILLAGE (IRE)
|
9
|
Jane Gerard-Pearse
|
Neil Mulholland
|
|
SOME BUCKLE (IRE)
|
10
|
Knowle Racing Stables Limited
|
Richard Bandey
|
|
SPLASH OF GINGE
|
11
|
John Neild
|
Nigel Twiston-Davies
|
|
SUB LIEUTENANT (IRE)
|
10
|
Gigginstown House Stud
|
Henry de Bromhead IRE
|
|
THEATRE TERRITORY (IRE)
|
9
|
Robert Waley-Cohen
|
Warren Greatrex
|
|
THEINVAL (FR)
|
9
|
Mr & Mrs Sandy Orr
|
Nicky Henderson
|
|
TIQUER (FR)
|
11
|
Burnham P & D Ltd
|
Alan Jones
|
|
TOMMY SILVER (FR)
|
7
|
Done, Ferguson, Mason & Wood
|
Paul Nicholls
|
|
TOUCH KICK (IRE)
|
8
|
Trevor Hemmings
|
Paul Nicholls
|
|
ULTRAGOLD (FR)
|
11
|
Brocade Racing J P Romans Terry Warner
|
Colin Tizzard
|
|
VALSEUR LIDO (FR)
|
10
|
Gigginstown House Stud
|
Henry de Bromhead IRE
|
|
VALTOR (FR)
|
10
|
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede
|
Nicky Henderson
|
|
VAN GOGH DU GRANIT (FR)
|
10
|
Fergus Wilson
|
David Pipe
|
|
VANITEUX (FR)
|
10
|
C R Leech
|
Sophie Leech
|
|
VOIX D'EAU (FR)
|
9
|
J Fyffe & Gerry McGladery
|
Lucinda Russell
|
|
WARRIORS TALE
|
10
|
Trevor Hemmings
|
Paul Nicholls
|
|
WOODS WELL (IRE)
|
8
|
Gigginstown House Stud
|
Gordon Elliott IRE
|
|
ZALVADOS (FR)
|
6
|
D C Mercer
|
Oliver Greenall
|
76 entries
11 Irish-trained
The Randox Health Foxhunters' Chase
Class 2, £45,000 Total Prize Fund.
Thursday, April 4, 2019, 2m 5f 19yds over the Grand National fences. For six-year-olds and upwards, who, after October, 2016, and before March 18, 2019, have finished first, second or third in a Hunters' steeple chase on two occasions OR have finished first, second or third in a Hunters' chase on one occasion and have won either another chase (Hunters' chases included) or, during the current Point-to-Point season, an Open Point-to-Point chase. Weights: 12st, mares allowed 7lb. To be ridden by amateur riders holding Category B permits to ride, or amateur riders riding under the provisions of Rule (D) 27. Entries closed March 19, entries revealed March 20 (44 entries), six-day confirmations March 29, final declarations 10am April 3. Maximum field 30 runners.
|
Horse
|
Age
|
Owner
|
Trainer
|
|
ABRICOT DE L'OASIS (FR)
|
9
|
James Henderson
|
James Henderson
|
|
ASANGY (ITY)
|
7
|
Howard Taylor
|
Richard Edwards
|
|
ASOCKASTAR (IRE)
|
11
|
Daniel John Bourne
|
Daniel John Bourne
|
|
BALLOTIN (FR)
|
8
|
David Maxwell Racing Limited
|
Philip Hobbs
|
|
BALNASLOW (IRE)
|
12
|
Margaret A Simpson
|
Graham John McKeever
|
|
BEAR'S AFFAIR (IRE)
|
13
|
G B Barlow
|
Philip Rowley
|
|
BRAVE JAQ (FR)
|
8
|
Frederick Joseph Butler
|
Ryan Potter
|
|
BURNING AMBITION (IRE)
|
8
|
Tynan/MacLennan/Carthy/Shanahan/Magnier
|
Pierce Power IRE
|
|
CAID DU BERLAIS (FR)
|
10
|
Donlon, Doyle, MacDonald & C Barber
|
Rose Loxton
|
|
CHAMPAGNE WEST (IRE)
|
11
|
S W Dunn
|
Thomas Frost
|
|
COASTAL TIEP (FR)
|
7
|
Jetmac Syndicate
|
Stuart Crawford IRE
|
|
CRAZY JACK (IRE)
|
11
|
Mrs Denise Butler
|
Anne Hewitt
|
|
DINEUR (FR)
|
13
|
Gwilym J Morris
|
Mickey Bowen
|
|
FINANCIAL CLIMATE (IRE)
|
12
|
The Ordnance Hill Syndicate
|
Major Harry Wallace
|
|
GALLERY EXHIBITION (IRE)
|
12
|
Somerset Racing
|
Peter Mason
|
|
GRAND VISION (IRE)
|
13
|
J K Farms
|
Colin Tizzard
|
|
GREENSALT (IRE)
|
11
|
Sarah Easterby
|
William Easterby
|
|
JUST CAUSE (IRE)
|
9
|
Tim Gredley
|
James Owen
|
|
KRUZHLININ (GER)
|
12
|
Paul & Clare Rooney
|
Gordon Elliott IRE
|
|
LAURIUM
|
9
|
Alan Hill
|
Alan Hill
|
|
MARINERO (IRE)
|
10
|
David Maxwell
|
David Christie IRE
|
|
MONSIEUR GIBRALTAR (FR)
|
8
|
David Maxwell Racing Limited
|
Rose Loxton
|
|
MR MERCURIAL (IRE)
|
11
|
Will Ramsay
|
Will Ramsay
|
|
MR MIX (FR)
|
8
|
S C Robinson & Mrs C Gilsenan
|
Stuart Robinson
|
|
NEVER COMPLAIN (IRE)
|
11
|
Glebe House Racing Club
|
Charlotte Marshall
|
|
NEWSWORTHY (IRE)
|
9
|
James Henderson
|
James Henderson
|
|
NUMBERCRUNCHER (IRE)
|
13
|
David O'Brien
|
David O'Brien
|
|
PASS THE HAT
|
12
|
Ms S K Baharuddin
|
Miss Sarah Rippon
|
|
POPELYS GULL (IRE)
|
7
|
L Humphrey
|
Luke Humphrey
|
|
PREMIER PORTRAIT (IRE)
|
12
|
Charles Levinson & Alexia Robinson
|
Dr Charles Levinson
|
|
ROAD TO RICHES (IRE)
|
12
|
David Maxwell
|
David Christie IRE
|
|
ROAD TO ROME (IRE)
|
9
|
Graham William Briscoe
|
Joseph O'Shea
|
|
SEEFOOD (IRE)
|
12
|
I P Crane
|
Justin Landy
|
|
SHANTOU FLYER (IRE)
|
9
|
David Maxwell Racing Limited
|
Richard Hobson
|
|
SHANTOU MAGIC (IRE)
|
12
|
Will Ramsay
|
Will Ramsay
|
|
SHIMLA DAWN (IRE)
|
11
|
Paul Drury
|
Christine Drury
|
|
SIR JACK YEATS (IRE)
|
8
|
GOWING'S ELEVEN
|
Richard Spencer
|
|
STARKIE
|
12
|
Anthony Ward-Thomas
|
Anthony Ward-Thomas
|
|
STELLAR NOTION (IRE)
|
11
|
S W Dunn
|
Thomas Frost
|
|
STREETS OF MILAN (IRE)
|
8
|
All For The Craic Partnership
|
Chris Pimlott
|
|
TOP WOOD (FR)
|
12
|
J R Weatherby
|
Kelly Morgan
|
|
UCELLO CONTI (FR)
|
11
|
Simon Munir/Isaac Souede
|
Gordon Elliott IRE
|
|
UNIONISTE (FR)
|
11
|
David Maxwell Racing Limited
|
Paul Nicholls
|
|
WONDERFUL CHARM (FR)
|
11
|
Robin Geffen, Sir John Ritblat, Robert Waley-Cohen
|
Paul Nicholls
|
44 entries
6 Irish-trained
