Grade One Manifesto Novices' Chase Aintree Guide 2023

Willie Mullins has one runner in this contest, in the form of eight-year-old Saint Roi. He finished third in the Arkle at Cheltenham last month, behind Jonbon and El Fabiolo after unseating Mark Walsh in the Irish Arkle in February.

Won a grade one novice at Leopardstown in December by just over two lengths to Visionarian and wasn’t too far behind Jonbon in the Arkle last month so shouldn’t be taken lightly. Comes from a top yard and goes off the same mark as Banbridge but may find the market leaders too strong. Not dismissed, however.

Sheila Lewis sends eight-year-old Straw Fan Jack to Aintree for this contest after finishing a decent fourth of nine in the Arkle last month at Cheltenham, behind Saint Roi, Jonbon and El Fabiolo. He was a fair way behind Saint Roi and that was his first foray into grade one company over fences.

Has won over the larger obstacles twice, at Ffos Las and Cheltenham but in lesser company than this and may struggle up against some experienced grade one runners here.

Peter Fahey’s gelding Visionarian heads to this Aintree contest after finishing sixth of eight last time out in the Irish Arkle in February at Leopardstown, making no impression on the leaders. That had followed a good start to life over fences for the eight-year-old, winning at Galway and Wexford before second in a grade three at Punchestown last October and second to Saint Roi in grade one chase at Leopardstown in December.

May find this tougher up against the likes of Stage Star and Banbridge, with the market currently agreeing (priced at around 25/1). With this being a five-runner contest, an each-way bet looks unlikely here with the top two expected to dominate.

Joseph O’Brien’s 152-rated chaser Banbridge travels to Aintree after being a non-runner in the Turners’ at Cheltenham last month. Hasn’t spent any time outside of the top three over fences, winning twice at Gowran Park and Cheltenham before running well to claim second in the Irish Arkle last time out in February, ten lengths behind El Fabiolo.

Banbridge looks like direct competition for Stage Star in this years Manifesto Novices’ Chase and the two geldings currently sit at the top of the betting at the time of writing. A bold showing from Banbridge is expected and it is likely that the seven-year-old and Stage Star will battle it out for victory.

Paul Nicholls’ seven-year-old Stage Star arrives at Aintree as the current market favourite, having continued his upward curve over fences last month to win the Grade One Turners’ at Cheltenham festival by just over three lengths to Notlongtillmay and beating the 4/6fav, the late Mighty Potter in the process.

That win was impressive and was his first run at grade one level having won a class two handicap at the same course in January. He’s only up three lbs following that Turners’ victory and has defied top weight before, so can go well again. He certainly looks the one to beat.