Topham Chase tips and odds: Aintree 2023
The Topham Chase is one of three races over the Grand National fences at the Aintree Festival. It is run over 2m 5f, and for many it is one of their favourite contests of the season.
A full field of 30 runners has been declared to feature in 2023. Trainer Nicky Henderson, who has won this race five times, saddles Fantastic Lady this time around as he bids to land a record sixth success in the 4.05pm at Aintree this afternoon.
Irish trainer Willie Mullins has also had multiple successes in this contest. The Irishman has the four highest-rated entries in the field, with Haut En Couleurs, Burrows Saint, Ciel De Neige and Fan De Blues.
Aintree, 4.05 – Topham Chase 2023 betting predictions
Selection: Haut En Couleurs @ SP with All British Sport
Odds correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change.
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The cream can rise to the top with Haut En Couleurs
With the highest rating of 157 in the race, HAUT EN COULEURS will need to carry top weight of 12st to victory in the Topham this year. The last horse to do that was Dublin Flyer in 1995 for Tim Forster.
Willie Mullins clearly enjoys this race as he has won it four times in his career. He has been very smart with his entries this year, as all four have featured in Graded action, but have just fallen short at the highest level, including Haut En Couleurs who was second in the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase behind Janidil earlier in the season.
The six-year-old gelding remains open to improvement over fences, and if he takes a step forward on what he has shown so far he may have far too much class for his rivals at Aintree. His sole chase success came over 2m 1f, so he does not lack any speed, and he is also very comfortable over this 2m 5f distance.
The in-form Paul Townend has had the choice of four horses in this race and opted for the 157-rated runner. The leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival last month, Townend is riding full of confidence this season. He won this contest in 2019 and he can pick up the second Topham success of his career with the talented Irish chaser.
Selection: Haut En Couleurs @ SP with All British Sport
Ashtown Lad bidding for more success over bigger fences
On what was his debut over the Grand National fences back in December, ASHTOWN LAD was victorious in the Becher Handicap Chase over 3m 2f. He jumped brilliantly, taking advantage of his handicap mark of 138.
Dan Skelton’s bay gelding is now looking to complete a rare double. He is dropping down in distance – but this race, with a field of 30, is often run at a ferocious pace, suiting horses that have shown they can stay over much further.
The nine-year-old has gone up just 6lb in the ratings for his Becher success, which keeps him off a workable mark. His previous two appearances have come over hurdles, so Skelton has been smart in protecting his chase mark for this race.
This will be the Lodge Hill runner’s seventh appearance over fences. There is likely to be more to come from him. All his victories so far have come on good-to-soft ground, so conditions will be just perfect for Skelton’s chaser as he bids to record more success over the Grand National fences.
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