April 03 / 13.45 Aintree

13.45

Good To Soft

EBC Group Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £67524
  • 2m 3f 200y
  • Class 1
  • 9 runners
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EBC Group Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 11-113 C

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 157

Form & Verdict
Won Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle (2m4f, soft) 12 months ago and made it 2-2 over fences in the Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick (2m3f, yielding to soft) in December; has also won on good ground; didn't jump well when third at Leopardstown in February (Croke Park about 5l ahead in second) but he's a major player if the first-time cheekpieces help him find fluency.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Impaire Et Passe

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Unproven at this trip and reportedly never travelling when pulled up in the Ryanair at Cheltenham last month; however, he's won at this meeting in each of the last two seasons, landing the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices' Chase last April (2m4f, good to soft; Jango Baie third), and he produced a top performance in the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park this February; could bounce back with big run for last year's winning trainer Willie Mullins.

7/2

5

12th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 127y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Impaire Et Passe

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

A fine hurdler whose three Grade 1 wins included the Ballymore at this meeting in 2023; has reached the same standard over fences, winning at the top level at Aintree (about 2m4f, good to soft; first-time cheekpieces) last April, and he was ultimately quite convincing in a tactical race at Gowran (about 2m3f, heavy) last month; his form doesn't yet match that of stablemate Fact To File but he is considered for a place.

7/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.00

Form: 116-P1 D

Last run: 76 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 153

Form & Verdict
Grade 2 novice hurdle winner (2m4f, good to soft) who was pulled up on chase debut in November (irregular heartbeat) but impressed in four-runner Grade 2 novice at Windsor (2m, soft) in January, when subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Caldwell Potter was 4l behind in second; unraced on good ground; the step back up in trip seems a likely plus; firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

15:30 Aintree

Gidleigh Park

11st 10lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Made mistakes and pulled up in the Clarence House at Ascot in January when last seen; however, prior to that he reappeared with a good second to subsequent Gold Cup runner-up Jango Baie in the Grade 2 1965 Chase at Ascot (2m5f, good) and last season's best performance came when runner-up in the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices' Chase over C&D (good to soft) in April; arrives fresh, whereas most of these ran at the Cheltenham Festival; interesting.

15/2

1

17th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 172y

Class 1

15:30 Ascot

Gidleigh Park

11st 10lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Lightly raced 8yo who won Grade 2s as a novice hurdler and novice chaser; ran as well as he's ever done when 9l second to top-class Jango Baie in Grade 2 chase here (2m5f, good; handles soft) in November; more needed today but the drop back in trip should not inconvenience him in the slightest.

7/1

2nd

4

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Gidleigh Park

11st 7lb

J: Bryan Carver

T: Harry Fry

Grade 2 novice hurdle winner (2m4f, good to soft) who was pulled up on chase debut in November (irregular heartbeat) but impressed in four-runner Grade 2 novice at Windsor (2m, soft) in January, when subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Caldwell Potter was 4l behind in second; unraced on good ground; the step back up in trip seems a likely plus; firmly in calculations.

5/1

9/4

  • Place: £1.20

Form: 22-121 C

Last run: 23 days

W: 11st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 159

Form & Verdict
Short-headed in Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown (2m4f, heavy) in February on second chase start and rallied from a very unpromising position to win the Arkle at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) last month; unraced on good ground; ran big races over hurdles on both visits here and he's a leading contender with the step back up in trip likely to be in his favour.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

9th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Jango Baie

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Kept on for close third to Impaire Et Passe in the 2m4f Manifesto here 12 months ago and has improved for longer trips this season; very close fourth in thrilling finish to the King George at Kempton (3m, good) in December and 8l second in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham (3m2f, good to soft) last month; leading claims if that hard race 27 days ago hasn't left a mark.

5/6

2nd

8

13th Mar 2026

Good

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Jango Baie

11st 10lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Came from behind to win the Arkle here (2m, good to soft) 12 months ago and, as could be anticipated, was well suited by the step up to 3m when a very close fourth behind The Jukebox Man and Gaelic Warrior in the King George at Kempton (3m, good) in December; of the four involved in that thrilling finish he arguably shaped as the one most likely to improve for today's stiffer test; seems versatile ground-wise; could play a leading role.

4/1

3rd

6

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Jango Baie

11st 7lb

J: Nico de Boinville

T: Nicky Henderson

Short-headed in Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown (2m4f, heavy) in February on second chase start and rallied from a very unpromising position to win the Arkle at Cheltenham (2m, good to soft) last month; unraced on good ground; ran big races over hurdles on both visits here and he's a leading contender with the step back up in trip likely to be in his favour.

9/4

Form: 203152 C

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 145

Form & Verdict
Won Grade 2 Rising Stars at Wincanton (2m4f, good) in November and 1l second to Rubaud in Grade 2 Pendil at Kempton (2m4f, good to soft) in February, when conceding 5lb to the winner (level weights today); relatively exposed (2-8 over fences) but this course hurdles winner is not ruled out each-way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

8

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Boombawn

11st 0lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

First run over the National fences; inconsistent this season and no match for stablemate Madara (who remains Harry Skelton's mount) when ninth of 23 in the Plate at Cheltenham last month; however, Aintree brought out the best in him last year and he's well handicapped on that form; one to consider.

12/1

9th

5

10th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 44y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Boombawn

11st 7lb

J: Tristan Durrell

T: Dan Skelton

Has hurdle form at Cheltenham over a similar trip to today's but he races mostly on sharp tracks, albeit with soft ground against him in January when well back in his sole chase start here; never showed with a chance when upped to 3m at Kempton recently and he's no strong option to improve a 2-15 strike-rate over fences; yard runs two others with better claims.

40/1

12th

1

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Boombawn

12st 0lb

J: Harry Atkins

T: Dan Skelton

Only 2-14 as a chaser but has been highly tried on occasions, as when not far away in a 2m4f Grade 1 at Aintree last April; another good run in a Grade 2 here last month (RPR right up there with his best) and soft ground was no good to him back in a handicap at Cheltenham; patient tactics are likely now sent further and could be interesting with Harry Atkins claiming 7lb, provided conditions don't soften.

20/1

Form: -11F21 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 149

Form & Verdict
Prolific over hurdles (including Grade 2 wins) and 1l second to classy yardstick in Grade 2 Kingmaker at Warwick (2m, soft) in February on second chase start, before going one better in Grade 2 Pendil at Kempton (2m4f, good to soft); he's 5lb worse off with 1l runner-up Boombawn compared to last time, and others have stronger form, but his peak hurdles efforts came on good going and he could find some improvement if such ground prevails; not ruled out.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

25th Apr 2026

Good

2m 5f 110y

Class 1

16:02 Sandown

Rubaud

11st 10lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Form dipped in Cheltenham Festival handicap returned to fences last time; multiple Grade 2 winner but has raced mostly at about 2m and isn't crying out for this step back up in trip; first go beyond a sharp 2m4f.

14/1

3

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Rubaud

11st 7lb

J: Harry Cobden

T: Paul Nicholls

Listed/Grade 2 wins over hurdles this term; goes back over fences for the first time since last May and he's 1-5 in this sphere, the win coming in a Grade 2 novice last February; sixth of 15 off this mark in the Scottish Champion Hurdle in April 2024 when he last tackled a handicap; may be vulnerable.

16/1

2nd

1

14th Feb 2026

Heavy

1m 7f 50y

Class 1

13:35 Wincanton

Rubaud

11st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Paul Nicholls

Front-runner who is 2-3 since returned to hurdles from fences, winning races at Kempton (Listed) and Wincanton (Elite Hurdle) that he also took in 2023 and 2024; held in a 9l third at Kempton on Boxing Day but that was behind Sir Gino in a Grade 1 and he's strongly respected on this drop back in class; most of his wins have been on good ground but he's effective on soft.

7/4

Form: -21331 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 144

Form & Verdict
Experienced hurdler who won Grade 2 novice on chase debut at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) in December and made it 2-4 over fences in warm little handicap at Exeter (2m1f, good) last time; ran well behind two of these in Grade 2 at Kempton in February but likely to be vulnerable in this company.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Mark Of Gold

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Last season over hurdles ended on a low note at this meeting; solid for most of this term, switched to fences for last five starts and winning twice in small fields; put firmly in his place in Grade 1 novice events over 2m4f here in February and particularly at Aintree last time, but this return to a handicap will also demand a career best.

14/1

1st

1

26th Apr 2025

Good

2m 4f 10y

Class 2

13:50 Sandown

Mark Of Gold

12st 0lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Last season over hurdles ended on a low note at this meeting; solid for most of this term, switched to fences for last five starts and winning twice in small fields; put firmly in his place in Grade 1 novice events over 2m4f here in February and particularly at Aintree last time, but this return to a handicap will also demand a career best.

14/1

6th

7

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

2m 3f 200y

Class 1

13:45 Aintree

Mark Of Gold

11st 7lb

J: Caoilin Quinn

T: Gary & Josh Moore

Experienced hurdler who won Grade 2 novice on chase debut at Ascot (2m3f, good to soft) in December and made it 2-4 over fences in warm little handicap at Exeter (2m1f, good) last time; ran well behind two of these in Grade 2 at Kempton in February but likely to be vulnerable in this company.

40/1

Form: P-1112 D

Last run: 60 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
Won two Grade 1 novice chases in Ireland in December (2m4f/3m, yielding/good to yielding) before bumping into Ballyburn in Grade 1 at Leopardstown (2m5f, yielding) in February, when a 5l second; had Heart Wood and Better Days Ahead narrowly behind in second for his Grade 1 wins, and those two franked the form at the Cheltenham Festival; he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

18th

6

10th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

2m 5f 19y

Class 1

16:05 Aintree

Croke Park

11st 4lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: Gordon Elliott

Won two Grade 1 novice chases in December 2024 (2m4f/3m, yielding/good to yielding); he hasn't kicked on this term and was well beaten in a handicap at Leopardstown (2m5f, soft) in February, but getting back on better ground may help and he can go well if tapping back into last season's promise.

20/1

13th

1

1st Feb 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 5f 107y

14:45 Leopardstown

Croke Park

11st 12lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Gordon Elliott

Dual hurdle winner turned into a top-class novice chaser last season, winning two Grade 1s including over 3m at this track; was also a fine runner-up in a Grade 1 over C&D at this meeting last year; hasn't been at that level in four starts since, but drops in grade with a 5lb claimer aboard, so has to be respected.

16/1

Form: 85-211 D

Last run: 61 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 138

Form & Verdict
Impressed in Doncaster handicap (2m3f, good to soft) in December on second chase start and travelled well when again doing it nicely in Musselburgh handicap (2m4f, good to soft) in February; won on good ground over hurdles; this is a vastly tougher test of his credentials but he arrives fresh and it remains to be seen where his limitations lie; interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

30th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 171y

Class 3

15:57 Ludlow

The Kalooki Kid

11st 10lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Won last season's Scottish Champion Chase (2m4f, good to soft; his last win) off 5lb lower but only sixth in the same race when last seen two months ago and there were no clear excuses; this is a drop in grade but has never given the impression that he's a stayer in the making (unraced beyond 2m5f).

100/30

6th

4

31st Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 4f 68y

Class 2

14:20 Musselburgh

The Kalooki Kid

10st 10lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

He needs to produce more than when fifth behind a couple of these over C&D (good to soft) on New Year's Day but that was just his second start of the season, after a 60-day break, and he could build on it today; won this last year (good to soft); has also won on soft here; possible contender.

7/2

4th

4

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

14:37 Carlisle

The Kalooki Kid

11st 4lb

J: Danny McMenamin

T: Nicky Richards

Couldn't cope with the step up to Grade 1 level at Aintree in April (2m4f; 28-1) but had previously impressed when not overly troubled to win 2m3f/2m4f handicaps on good to soft; a sound jumper whose limitations wouldn't be exposed just yet.

11/2

OUR TIP

Form: 81F6PF D

Last run: 33 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 136

Form & Verdict
Beat subsequent Grade 2 winner Touch Me Not on chase debut at Punchestown (2m, good) in October; however, others have far more substance to their form and he's had jumping issues since that win; others preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

25th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

3m 1f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Cheltenham

Fascile Mode

10st 13lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Thomas Mullins

A little in the doldrums before finishing second in a 2m6f Listed handicap hurdle at Galway in August and then ran well to be third in a chase at Sligo, though old jumping issues resurfaced late on; that part of his game will be tested around here in this big field and he might not stay the trip anyway.

20/1

1

1st Oct 2025

Good To Yielding

2m 5f 27y

16:43 Sligo

Fascile Mode

11st 10lb

J: Danny Mullins

T: Thomas Mullins

Bounced back to form with a fine effort in a listed handicap hurdle at the Galway Festival in August; jumping has been an issue at times in this sphere and with a rating of 133, has a lot to find with Jesse Evans on the figures.

15/2

2nd

8

2nd Aug 2025

Good

2m 6f 108y

15:12 Galway

Fascile Mode

11st 5lb

J: Jake Coen

T: Thomas Mullins

Has been out of form since winning a beginners' chase at Punchestown (16.5f, gd-yld) last October, though has been highly tried at times; unproven over this far and has questions to answer right now.

25/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £18.00
Straight Forecast £17.13
Tricast £29.20
Trifecta £40.50

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Jango Baie

Daily Mail:

Croke Park

WEST COUNTRY:

Gidleigh Park

Telegraph:

Impaire Et Passe

D Express:

The Kalooki Kid

RP RATINGS:

Jango Baie

TOPSPEED:

Jango Baie

POSTDATA:

Jango Baie

LAMBOURN:

Jango Baie

The Times:

Jango Baie

Daily Mirror:

Jango Baie

The Star:

Jango Baie

The Guardian:

Gidleigh Park

The Sun:

Croke Park

Daily Record:

Croke Park