15:40 Aintree: Tartak of big interest in second Topham start

Each-way punters have already profited once by this site tipping Tartak as he finished third in the Byrne Group Plate at the Cheltenham Festival at 20/1 and the horse may go even better at Aintree, as he returns for a second crack at the Topham Chase.

A previous attempt at the race is no bad thing, as seven of the last nine Topham winners were on the start line the year before, although Tartak was only 15th, 64 lengths behind eventual victor Always Waining.

However, he can be excused as he broke a blood vessel mid-race, which put an end to his chances.

Looking back through Tartak’s history, he is the most experienced Aintree horse in the field as he has visited six times previous and does have a course victory under his belt.

This was back in 2009 and his last triumph of any nature was 16 races and over two years ago, although in the period since, his official rating has continued to drop.

He is now a full 19lb lower than when last winning and this means he will compete at Aintree off 10st 5lb. Tartak is 14/1 to end his lengthy wait for a victory.

Interestingly, only one horse this century has carted more than 11st to success in the Topham and eight of the last 10 have been allocated no more than 11st5lb.

This is a big deterrent towards many of the more fancied runners, most notably last year’s second and third Chance Du Roy and Fistral Beach, alongside Little Josh, who will all compete off 11st6lb or more.

Chance Du Roy does return off a mark 2lb lower than last year though and this makes him a worthy favourite at 8/1.

Of those at greater each-way prices, Jamsie Hall is not without a chance at 14/1 as he was travelling well before unseating last time and he has been dropped 2lb for this display.

The jockey booking of Paul Carberry for the hold-up horse is also eye-catching.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.