Nicky Henderson has the favourite and top weight, Janika, as he bids for a record sixth win in next Friday's Randox Health Topham Chase at Aintree Racecourse .
Market leader Janika, who was runner-up in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate at the recent Cheltenham Festival , will carry 11st12lb in the £140,000 Grade Three contest run over the Grand National fences on Ladies Day.
The French import is current favourite at a best-priced 10-1 Paddy Power, Betfair and bet365 to give his Seven Barrows handler a sixth success in the 2m5f event following past wins for Won't Be Gone Long (1990), Liberthine (2006), Triolo D'Alene (2013), Ma Filleule (2014) and Rajdhani Express (2015).
Henderson has 10 entries for the Topham Chase, with Ultima Handicap Chase victor Beware The Bear and Valtor - who is also still entered in the Grand National - also featuring at the head of the weights and will both carry 10st10lb if they line up.
Beware The Bear is a best-priced 20-1 with William Hill, while Valtor is a 33-1 chance with Betfred and bet365.
Colin Tizzard's Ultragold, who has won the last two runnings of the Topham Handicap Chase, will carry 10st10lb if he lines up. He is a best-priced 14-1 second favourite with several firms including William Hill, Paddy Power and Betfred to emulate the only previous three-time winner, Always Waining (2010, 2011 & 2012).
The 11-year-old, though, is more likely to run in the £1million Grand National at Aintree a week on Saturday (April 6).
Paul Nicholls currently leads this season’s Jump trainers’ championship and the Ditcheat handler has six contenders for the valuable prize which could help him towards an 11th title.
They are headed by Adrien Du Pont, who will carry 11st1lb and is a best-priced 16-1 with several bookmakers including bet365, BetVictor and Paddy Power.
Recent Greatwood Gold Cup scorer San Benedeto (11st4lb) and Grand Sefton Chase hero Warriors Tale (11st1lb) - who could also run in the Grand National - are also entered for Nicholls, who won the Topham Chase with Gwanako in 2008.
Cregg House was the most recent Irish-trained winner of the Topham and there are 11 Irish-trained entries include Cadmium (11st 2lb, 16/1), Bellow Mome (10st 3lb, 20/1) and Polidam (10st 4lb, 20/1), who all represent Willie Mullins, the multiple champion Jump trainer in Ireland.
Last year’s Irish Grand National hero General Principle (10st8lb) features among three contenders from Gordon Elliott, while Call It Magic (9st 13lb, Ross O’Sullivan, 16/1) and Peregrine Run (11st 1lb, Peter Fahey, 20/1) are all possibles for the Emerald Isle.
General Principle, though, is more likely to run in the world's greatest steeplechase.
The Randox Health Topham Chase (Grade 3) handicap chase, £140,000 Total Prize Fund . 4.05pm, Friday, April 5, 2019, 2m 5f 19y 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 | Wgt | Owner | Trainer |
| JANIKA (FR) | 6 | 11-12 | Simon Munir & Isaac Souede | Nicky Henderson |
| VALTOR (FR) | 10 | 11-10 | Simon Munir & Isaac Souede | Nicky Henderson |
| BEWARE THE BEAR (IRE) | 9 | 11-10 | G B Barlow | Nicky Henderson |
| DOUBLE SHUFFLE (IRE) | 9 | 11-08 | Crossed Fingers Partnership | Tom George |
| SUB LIEUTENANT (IRE) | 10 | 11-05 | Gigginstown House Stud | Henry de Bromhead IRE |
| SAN BENEDETO (FR) | 8 | 11-04 | P J Vogt | Paul Nicholls |
| GOLD PRESENT (IRE) | 9 | 11-02 | John & Barbara Cotton | Nicky Henderson |
| CADMIUM (FR) | 7 | 11-02 | Supreme Horse Racing Club/K Sharp | Willie Mullins IRE |
| O O SEVEN (IRE) | 9 | 11-01 | Christopher Hanbury | Nicky Henderson |
| ADRIEN DU PONT (FR) | 7 | 11-01 | Mrs Johnny de la Hey | Paul Nicholls |
| PEREGRINE RUN (IRE) | 9 | 11-01 | V Byrne | Peter Fahey IRE |
| WARRIORS TALE | 10 | 11-01 | Trevor Hemmings | Paul Nicholls |
| ACTIVIAL (FR) | 9 | 11-00 | R S Brookhouse | Tom George |
| ULTRAGOLD (FR) | 11 | 10-10 | Brocade Racing J P Romans Terry Warner | Colin Tizzard |
| MERCIAN PRINCE (IRE) | 8 | 10-10 | Paul Murphy | Amy Murphy |
| THEINVAL (FR) | 9 | 10-10 | Mr & Mrs Sandy Orr | Nicky Henderson |
| RATHER BE (IRE) | 8 | 10-09 | Matt & Lauren Morgan | Nicky Henderson |
| CAPTAIN REDBEARD (IRE) | 10 | 10-08 | S Coltherd | Stuart Coltherd |
| GENERAL PRINCIPLE (IRE) | 10 | 10-08 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| WOODS WELL (IRE) | 8 | 10-06 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| BEGGAR'S WISHES (IRE) | 8 | 10-06 | Roddy Owen & Paul Fullagar | Peter Bowen |
| BORN SURVIVOR (IRE) | 8 | 10-06 | Mrs G Widdowson & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes | Dan Skelton |
| BALLYHILL (FR) | 8 | 10-06 | Simon Such & Gino Paletta | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| BIGMARTRE (FR) | 8 | 10-06 | P J Dixon | Harry Whittington |
| FLYING ANGEL (IRE) | 8 | 10-06 | R J Rexton | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| SHANTOU VILLAGE (IRE) | 9 | 10-04 | Jane Gerard-Pearse | Neil Mulholland |
| VALSEUR LIDO (FR) | 10 | 10-04 | Gigginstown House Stud | Henry de Bromhead IRE |
| FACT OF THE MATTER (IRE) | 9 | 10-04 | The Sandylini Racing Partnership | Jamie Snowden |
| DOITFORTHEVILLAGE (IRE) | 10 | 10-04 | The Rockbourne Partnership | Paul Henderson |
| EXITAS (IRE) | 11 | 10-04 | P Middleton, M Lowther | Phil Middleton |
| POLIDAM (FR) | 10 | 10-04 | Simon Munir/Isaac Souede | Willie Mullins IRE |
| BELLOW MOME (FR) | 8 | 10-03 | Mrs Audrey Turley | Willie Mullins IRE |
| TOMMY SILVER (FR) | 7 | 10-03 | Done, Ferguson, Mason & Wood | Paul Nicholls |
| CASABLANCA MIX (FR) | 7 | 10-03 | E R Hanbury | Nicky Henderson |
| SOME BUCKLE (IRE) | 10 | 10-02 | Knowle Racing Stables Limited | Richard Bandey |
| CRIEVEHILL (IRE) | 7 | 10-02 | Highclere T'Bred Racing- Crievehill | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| OUT SAM | 10 | 10-02 | D Charlesworth | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| GLEN ROCCO | 8 | 10-01 | Jeremy Kyle, Ged Mason, David Stevens | Nick Gifford |
| ROMAIN DE SENAM (FR) | 7 | 10-01 | Chris Giles & Dan Macdonald | Paul Nicholls |
| INDIAN TEMPLE (IRE) | 10 | 10-00 | Ken Huddleston | Tim Reed |
| ECHIQUIER (FR) | 5 | 10-00 | Simon Munir & Isaac Souede | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| HENRYVILLE | 11 | 9-13 | Roddy Owen & Paul Fullagar | Peter Bowen |
| DIVINE SPEAR (IRE) | 8 | 9-13 | Middleham Park Racing LXII | Nicky Henderson |
| HOGAN'S HEIGHT (IRE) | 8 | 9-13 | Foxtrot Racing: Hogan's Height | Jamie Snowden |
| VOIX D'EAU (FR) | 9 | 9-13 | J Fyffe & Gerry McGladery | Lucinda Russell |
| CALL IT MAGIC (IRE) | 9 | 9-13 | Mrs Z Wentworth | Ross O'Sullivan IRE |
| ASCOT DE BRUYERE (FR) | 9 | 9-13 | The Steel Bonnets | James Ewart |
| DIMPLE (FR) | 8 | 9-13 | D&D Armstrong Ltd | Sandy Thomson |
| HIGHLAND LODGE (IRE) | 13 | 9-13 | Cheveley Park Stud | James Moffatt |
| DUKE DES CHAMPS (IRE) | 9 | 9-13 | Diana Whateley & Tim Syder | Philip Hobbs |
| EQUUS SECRETUS (IRE) | 7 | 9-13 | The Bourtoneers | Ben Pauling |
| MORE BUCK'S (IRE) | 9 | 9-13 | P Duffy, D Semmens, V Williams & M Bowen | Peter Bowen |
| SPLASH OF GINGE | 11 | 9-12 | John Neild | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| TOUCH KICK (IRE) | 8 | 9-11 | Trevor Hemmings | Paul Nicholls |
| ACDC (IRE) | 9 | 9-11 | D&D Armstrong Ltd | Chris Grant |
| JUNCTION FOURTEEN (IRE) | 10 | 9-11 | Martin St Quinton & Tim Syder | Emma Lavelle |
| FOREST DES AIGLES (FR) | 8 | 9-11 | Raymond & Anita Anderson Green | Lucinda Russell |
| BEAU BAY (FR) | 8 | 9-10 | Peter Green & Dr RDP Newland | Dr Richard Newland |
| CHIC NAME (FR) | 7 | 9-10 | The Boom Syndicate | Richard Hobson |
| BLACK SCORPION (IRE) | 8 | 9-10 | Don't Go There Syndicate | Eric McNamara IRE |
| KILCREA VALE (IRE) | 9 | 9-10 | Alan Spence | Nicky Henderson |
| THEATRE TERRITORY (IRE) | 9 | 9-08 | Robert Waley-Cohen | Warren Greatrex |
| TIQUER (FR) | 11 | 9-07 | Burnham P & D Ltd | Alan Jones |
| GOLD OPERA (IRE) | 10 | 9-06 | Straightline Bloodstock | Keith Dalgleish |
| FEDERICI | 10 | 9-06 | M Four Properties Ltd | Donald McCain |
| VANITEUX (FR) | 10 | 9-05 | C R Leech | Sophie Leech |
| RATHLIN ROSE (IRE) | 11 | 9-05 | Fergus Wilson | David Pipe |
| CLONDAW WESTIE (IRE) | 8 | 9-05 | Mrs Frank Caudwell | Lawney Hill |
| ENJOY RESPONSIBLY (IRE) | 10 | 9-04 | John Beswick | Oliver Sherwood |
| CLAN LEGEND | 9 | 9-04 | Clan Gathering | Nick Alexander |
| SHANAHAN'S TURN (IRE) | 11 | 9-04 | Ann & Alan Potts Limited | Colin Tizzard |
| VAN GOGH DU GRANIT (FR) | 10 | 9-04 | Fergus Wilson | David Pipe |
| ZALVADOS (FR) | 6 | 9-03 | D C Mercer | Oliver Greenall |
| COMMIS D'OFFICE (FR) | 7 | 8-13 | Julian Blackwell & Mrs Angus Maclay | Venetia Williams |
74 entries remain (HOLLY BUSH HENRY & JAVERT have been scratched) 11 Irish-trained M
Mercian Prince (10st10lb), finished eighth behind San Benedeto after making the running at Newbury earlier this month. But he has shown some good form over fences since joining Amy Murphy, who took out her training licence in 2016.
The eight-year-old, who races in the colours of Murphy’s father Paul, won an extended two and a half-mile handicap chase at Kempton Park for a second successive year in January, when making all to win by 17 lengths.
On his only previous attempt over the Grand National fences, Mercian Prince finished a distant eighth on heavy ground in the Grand Sefton in December 2017.
Newmarket-based Murphy said: “Mercian Prince is on course for the Randox Health Topham Handicap Chase and that race has been the plan since last summer.
“His jumping is phenomenal and he jumped nicely when winning at Kempton in January.
“Hopefully, he takes to the fences which we think will suit him perfectly.
“Mercian Prince loves jumping and he has been a superstar for us since we have set-up training.”
Murphy is also looking forward to sending stable star Kalashnikov to Aintree.
He is set to line-up int the £100,000 Grade One Manifesto Novices’ Chase (1.45pm) the opener race of the Grand National Festival on Grand National Thursday (April 4).
Kalashnikov, runner-up in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2018 at the Cheltenham Festival, was the easy winner of his first two starts over fences this season. But he unseated Jack Quinlan after being hampered on his latest in the Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
It will be the six-year-old’s first race beyond two miles and a furlong. He has been successful on six of his 11 starts and finished second on the other four completed outings.
Murphy added: “Kalashnikov is in serious order. He looked fantastic at Cheltenham and I think he would’ve played a big part had fate not intervened, but hopefully things go more smoothly at Aintree.
“The Manifesto Novices’ Chase is the target and over a left-handed track, which we have established this season is extremely important with Kalashnikov. It should be a good jumping test and, hopefully, the race will suit him ideally.”
The six-day confirmation stage for the Topham Handicap Chase is on Saturday (March 30).
Burning Ambition favourite for the Foxhunters' Chase at Aintree
Recent Down Royal winner Burning Ambition heads 39 entries in the £45,000 Randox Health Foxhunters' Chase (4.05pm), run over the Grand National fences on Grand National Thursday.
Other leading contenders include Gordon Elliott's Ucello Conti, who has run in the Grand National for the past three years.
Last year's first and second, Graham McKeever's Balnaslow and the Philip Rowley-trained Bear's Affair, could re-oppose, while Ellliott's Kruzhlinin may line-up at Aintree for a seventh time.
Top Wood, trained by Kelly Morgan in Rutland and owned by Johnny Weatherby, is set to tackle the Grand National fences for the first time following two fine efforts in the St James's Place Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham.
The 11-year-old lost by a neck to Pacha Du Polder in the 'Gold Cup for amateurs' in March 2018, and was third in the same race at this year's Cheltenham Festival, despite not having run for 322 days.
Morgan said: "The Randox Health Foxhunters' Chase is the plan with Top Wood, all being well.
"He has come out of the race at Cheltenham in great form. He seems to come alive round there and, to run like he did without a prep run, was brilliant. "Hopefully, the Grand National fences will suit him. He is a very sound jumper and it will be great to have runner in the race "He is such a legend. He never lets you down." The six-day confirmation stage for the Randox Health Foxhunters' Chase is on Friday, March 29.
The Randox Health Foxhunters' Chase (Class 2) £45,000 Total Prize Fund. 4.05pm, Thursday, April 4, 2019, 2m 5f 19y 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
39 entries remain (POPELYS GULL & PREMIER PORTRAIT have been scratched, ABRICOT L'OASIS, LAURIUM & STELLAR NOTION are not qualified) 6 Irish-trained
The Randox Health Grand National Festival gets under way with Grand National Thursday on April 4, continues with Ladies Day (Friday, April 5) and finishes on Grand National Day (Saturday, April 6).
Grand National Thursday is the only day of the year with two open Grade One races and two Grade One contests for novices and is headlined by the Betway Bowl, staged over 3m1f of the Mildmay Course. While the Foxhunters' Chase is the race over the Grand National fences.
On Ladies Day the feature is the Grade JLT Melling run over the Mildmay fences. While the Topham Chase is the highlight on the Grand National course.
As well as the Grand National, Saturday also features the Grade One Ryanair Stayers' Hurdle (formerly the Liverpool Hurdle).
To purchase tickets for The Randox Health Grand National, please go to www.randoxhealthgrandnational.co.uk or call 0151 522 2911.
Racegoers can also buy tickets directly from the sales office at Aintree Racecourse.
