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The John Smith’s Topham Chase, run over the National fences on Friday 13 April, changes to an ‘early closing’ race in 2007.
For many years Aintree has maintained a policy of six-day entries for all races other than the John Smith’s Grand National. However, the John Smith’s Topham Chase has developed into a highly competitive race in its own right and will now be run as an open handicap with no rating band.
As is the case with the John Smith’s Grand National, British Horseracing Board senior jump handicapper Phil Smith will frame a handicap specifically for the race.
‘We intend to try this as a one-year experiment and obviously the four-week gap between Cheltenham and Aintree will help. ‘We want a post-Cheltenham early closing so the closing date for entries for the John Smith’s Topham Chase will be Wednesday 21 March 2007,’ said Charles Barnett.
