The second of three races over the Grand National fences this week is the Topham Handicap Chase. Run over a much shorter trip than Saturday’s big race, 18 fences are jumped over 2m5f.

Joe Napier previews the contest with a former winner tipped for glory, though maybe not the one most expected…

2026 Topham Handicap Chase Runners 

Almost as many horses take part in the Topham as the Grand National nowadays. A full field of 30 is set to take to the famous track on Friday, with Madara and Will The Wise renewing acquaintances from the Plate Handicap Chase at Cheltenham where they were first and second. Dan Skelton’s charge sprinted away for glory that day and could remain ahead of the handicapper up 10lb, but the 8lb swing in favour of the runner-up makes things more interesting.

This is a very competitive field too, with last year’s winner Gentleman De Mee back for more. He is only 3lb higher than 12 months ago and peaks at this time of year, so has to be feared. He has won twice at this meeting in the past. Another former Topham winner is Bill Baxter, who was sixth in the Becher Chase this season and whose connections have surely had this in mind all season. Another spring horse, he is on a dangerous mark once again.

Both Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins have able deputies to their number ones. Boombawn has continued to slide down the handicap and is a Graded horse at his best. He is now below Madara in the handicap. Mullins’ lieutenant is Ile Atlantique, with Paul Townend aboard the Grade 2 winner. A mark of 153 is one he could defy at his best.

Excello ran well for a long way in this last year and is at the very bottom of the handicap off 10st 2lb. The in-form Prairie Wolf is also in the mix, last year’s runner-up Lisnamult Lad needs a second look despite disappointing this term and Croke Park drops in class to a mark of just 150. The former Grade 1 novice chaser is becoming a handicap winner in waiting, while Il Est Francais would make a mockery of this at his best, but he has not been close to that for a while.

2026 Topham Handicap Chase Racecard

2026 Topham Handicap Chase Trends 

• None of the last ten favourites have been successful
• Willie Mullins has won three of the last six renewals
• The other seven of the previous ten winners have all been trained in Britain
• Eight of the last nine winners have carried 11st 2lb or less

2026 Topham Handicap Chase Tips 

A winner of this three years ago, Bill Baxter likes it here and ran a grand race in the Becher Chase over the longer 3m2f trip earlier this term. Back to a better distance, this is his time of year and he can win it again. Last year’s hero Gentleman De Mee is bang in the reckoning too for similar reasons. Madara is progressive enough that he could still be ahead of his mark while Excello is worth another go over this track.

FAQs

When and where is the Topham Handicap Chase run?

The Topham Handicap Chase will take place at Aintree racecourse on Friday 10 April, 2026 at 4.05pm.

How can I watch the Topham Handicap Chase on Friday?

The Topham Handicap Chase is shown live on ITV at 4.05pm on Friday.

When were the Topham Handicap Chase tips published?

The tips for the Topham Handicap Chase were published at 1.36pm on Thursday 9 April.

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