Grand National Festival 2026: Will The Wise victorious in the Topham Handicap Chase

Will The Wise gained revenge on Cheltenham conqueror Madara with victory in the Randox Topham Handicap Chase at Aintree on day two of the 2026 Grand National Festival.

The Gavin Cromwell-trained seven-year-old was easily put in his place by Madara when second in the Plate at the Festival, but it was a different story on revised terms over the Grand National fences.

Dylan Cunha’s Mahons Glory cut a bold sight bowling along at the front, as he attempted to stretch the field, with Madara’s Dan Skelton-trained stablemate Boombawn the first to challenge, as the two led the field back over the Melling Road and towards home.

As has become customary over this course in recent years, the challengers began to loom as two out approached and by the time the field reached the last it was 7-2 favourite Madara who shaded a narrow advantage.

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Enough in reserve

However, 9-1 shot Will The Wise was always travelling stylishly under Conor Stone-Walsh and hit the front by the elbow with Madara and Willie Mullins’ Ile Atlantique giving chase.

The fast-finishing Ile Atlantique was switched to the inside by Paul Townend, who asked for one last surge from his mount.

But Will The Wise always had enough in reserve, registering a one-and-a-quarter length success, with Madara a similar distance back in third.

Victory provided the perfect warm-up for Stone-Walsh and Cromwell, who will seek Grand National glory with Cheltenham Festival winner Final Orders on Saturday.

Cool head

Cromwell said: “It might have looked smooth, but I wouldn’t say I was never worried!

“After the Canal Turn, he got shuffled back a bit, and I thought we were done with, but he took to the fences and he came home well.

“Conor is such an asset, it is daylight robbery that he can still take 3lb off over here, he rides as a full professional back at home in Ireland. For one so young, he’s got such a cool head.

“It can only bode well for tomorrow ahead of the National anyway, you can’t take any negatives.

“This is my first winner over the fences, the nearest I’d come was with Vanillier in the National, who was second to Corach Rambler (in 2023).

“Final Orders has taken the Tiger Roll route by winning the cross country, he’s in great form, he’ll love the ground, so there are no negatives.”

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