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Topham Chase Friday 8th April 2011 

Grand National Home

grand national 2011 /

 

Ballyholland for Topham Glory Over National Fences
08/04/11

The day before the 2011 running of the John Smiths Grand National and the famous Aintree fences will be tickling the underside of 30 runners in the Topham Chase, run over a distance of 2 miles 5 ½ furlongs.

Ballyholland
© Grossick Racing Photography

Ballyholland

A year ago, Always Waining took the honours and Peter Bowen’s charge really does come alive over these fences. You can pretty much ignore what this one has done or not done over park courses on the run-up to this and at 16/1, the 10-y-o represents excellent each-way value.

Slight preference though is for the Irish Raider, Ballyholland. Experience over these fences is an immeasurable benefit and the selection jumped well and was prominent till the 25th before weakening behind Don’t Push It in the National itself last spring. Only seen once since, over hurdles a month ago but the 10-y-o has always been quite lightly raced and I reckon he could well have been well-prepared for this race.

Donald McCain has Ballabriggs on Saturday who looks to hold as good a chance as any in the big one but he could well pick up some prize money with Sagalyrique. Typical for one from this yard, he looks a proper NH horse and has been bought along steadily. After a couple of handicap wins in January, the 7-y-o predictably found the Racing Post Chase far too hot but he has been given a short break and gets in here with a nice racing weight. Paddy Brennan could probably have ridden a few and his presence in the saddle is viewed as a positive.

Plenty more with chances including Edgbriar, who could be the type to take to this sort of challenge, Shakalakaboomboom, who may yet have more to offer, last time winner Calusa Caldera who races off 10-stone and Gonebeyondrecall.

Recommendation: Ballyholland (e/w), Always Waining (e/w)

 

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