Topham Trophy 2019

[Vodkatini]

Now thinking as Bristol is out of National that Munir will still want to have a runner in national. That would rule out Valtor from this. More likely now that Janika runs as topweight i'd have thought.Cadmium on 152, Peregrine 151, Woods Well 142 of the fancied Irish runners. All are interesting but none missed in the market imo.

 

[FaugheenTheMachine]

PFN tweeted a video of Adrien Du Pont schooling over some national fences the other day, seemed to jump them very very well.......

 

[Eggs]

....unless i’m reading it wrong, seems like a number of fancied runners, including Theatre Territory will need lots to come out to get a run.

 

[Faugheen_Machine]

....unless i’m reading it wrong, seems like a number of fancied runners, including Theatre Territory will need lots to come out to get a run.

A rating of 126 got a run in this last season so TT should be ok, although it might be tight.

 

[archie]

There's a confirmation of entry stage at noon on Saturday.

 

[archie]

45 left in:

https://www.racingpost.com/racecards/32/aintree/2019-04-05/724113/at-a-glance

 

[Eggs]

45 left in:

https://www.racingpost.com/racecards/32/aintree/2019-04-05/724113/at-a-glance

....a few fancied have gone.

 

[Faugheen_Machine]

....a few fancied have gone.

Flying Angel, Activial, Ultragold, Warriors Tale and Sub Lieutenant make up my shortlist.

Gold Present a NR so done my money on him (again).

 

[Old Vic]

Theatre Territory one I will keep an eye on.

 

[Eggs]

Theatre Territory one I will keep an eye on.

.....must be a big doubt needing 6 to come out.

 

[Old Vic]

.....must be a big doubt needing 6 to come out.

Happy to wait for decs

 

[Faugheen_Machine]

Theatre Territory one I will keep an eye on.

Can't see how Ultragold doesn't win that battle if they meet again

 

[Eggs]

...Gary Nutting selects Ballyhill:

http://national.attheraces.com/blogs-and-tips/aintree-ante-post-focus

 

[mayo]

Call it Magic ran well for a long way in the Beecher.

 

[archie]

Cadmium an intended runner.

 

[Faugheen_Machine]

Flying Angel, Activial, Ultragold, Warriors Tale and Sub Lieutenant make up my shortlist.

Gold Present a NR so done my money on him (again).

My main pick in this is Activial (25/1). He ran a great race in the Ultima before tiring up the hill, over a trip that was further than his optimum. His jumping is rock solid, he pinged all the fences in the Ultima and also won at Haydock in November when Hendo was complaining that the fences were too stiff. A front runner is also another positive in this.

With Ultragold and Warriors Tale taking in the National, I think Activial has an outstanding chance in this at a big price.

 

[Eggs]

....Frederici interesting if it gets in.

 

[Old Vic]

Call it Magic ran well for a long way in the Beecher.

Might be Rubys ride or maybe he will be on Cadium ? Whatever he picks will shorten

 

[Vodkatini]

Activial and Ballyhill both on my shortlist. Feel the softer the ground the better over this trip for Activial. Ballyhill well handicapped if he takes to it based on run behind Sirah du lac. Adrien du point I could easily see winning impressively, but as a hold up horse(they have dire records in this race) he is short enough in betting so reluctantly will leave for now. Janika running has scuppered Theatre Territory's chances in theory, as she'll be 6lb wrong at weights. Not impossible over these fences as liking the course can make it less important, but although I still like her as a prominent racer to run well, her price is very short given the 6lb penalty in effect. Mercian Prince and Indian Temple are 2 front runners who jumped well over fences before and are in the handicap proper, so are of interest too. But my selection is O O Seven. If you like Activial, I'd suggest you must like this one, who travelled best in the Ultima before emptying late on. His run in this in 2017 was excellent. He ran poorly last year but the ground was heavy so it is forgivable. He had a breathing op before beating Go Conquer who has franked the form since.(admittedly when O O Seven disappointed at donny). The blinkers to my mind seemed to help at Cheltenham and I expect them to remain and provide Henderson with another victory in this race. Stablemate Janika is a danger but helps keep his weight down while putting a few dangers out of the handicap which all helps too.

 

[Lobos]

Old boy Highland Lodge will run another big race. Devours these fences, the more rain the better, no weight, will stay out of trouble up front, distance is perfect and at 33/1 the price is right.