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.

Photo credit: PA Images

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.

 

About Aintree Racecourse / The Jockey Club

Aintree is home to The Randox Health Grand National, the most famous horse race in the world which is the climax to a three-day Festival meeting in April every year. The racecourse hosts five other fixtures and is a leading conference centre in the north west of England.

 

More information is available at aintree.thejockeyclub.co.uk

 

Aintree is part of The Jockey Club which stages thrilling sporting occasions including The Randox Health Grand National, The Cheltenham Festival and The Investec Derby. Millions of people every year enjoy the special experiences we offer through racing, music, food and entertainment. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny we make goes back into British Racing to help the sport thrive. We were founded in 1750 and today we are the largest commercial group in Britain's second-biggest spectator sport, operating 15 racecourses nationwide, The National Stud, Jockey Club Estates, Jockey Club Catering, Jockey Club Live and our charity, Racing Welfare.

 

For more information visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk

 

For further information please contact:

 

Grant Rowley, Regional Communications Manager, The Jockey Club (North West) on 07884 655990 or email:  Grant.Rowley@thejockeyclub.co.uk

 

Jessica Dalgliesh, Senior Communications Executive, The Jockey Club (North West) on 07464 491507 or email:  Jessica.Dalgliesh@thejockeyclub.co.uk

 

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