13.45
SoftClose Brothers Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)
- Prize money: £67524
- 2m 3f 200y
- Class 1
- 5 runners
Runners: 5 runners
Type: Chase Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Showers
3/1 (Won)
- Win: £4.00
- Place: £1.60
Form: 2-1213
Last run: 30 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 155
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 3 |
28th Apr 2026 Yielding 2m 0f 98y |
11st 12lb |
Ground versatile; not the biggest in stature but a hugely talented performer who has won eight of his 11 chase starts, including six Grade 1s; bolted up in the Champion Chase on latest, immediately bouncing back from a rare blip at Sandown; won a Grade 1 novice over C&D at this meeting last year and he's preferred by Townend; leading chance. |
7/4 |
|
1st 4 |
11th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 1m 7f 199y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Acts on any ground; small in stature but big in talent and his record of 7-10 over fences features five Grade 1 wins, the most recent impressively in this season's Tingle Creek at Sandown; not bombproof in this scenario as he's 0-3 at the Cheltenham Festival (finishing positions 553) and was let down by his jumping in the 2024 Arkle, admittedly posting a good placed effort in the circumstances; possible denting of confidence is another concern as he was winded and took a while to get up from a late fall in the Clarence House most recently (under pressure and not responding when the tumble occurred); removal of usual hood adds to the uncertainty; otherwise a huge player provided he's in top form. |
4/1 |
|
2 |
17th Jan 2026 Good To Soft 2m 0f 172y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Hugely likeable chaser who made it 7-9 over fences when slamming Jonbon by 9l in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek at Sandown (1m7f, good to soft; fine on softer) six weeks ago; that represented another personal best and he's the clear pick on the ratings; has excellent credentials. |
8/15 |
7/2
- Place: £1.90
Form: -71112 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 7lb
8 yo Gelding
OR: 155
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7th 7 |
4th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Front-runner who was runner-up in two 2m4f Grade 1 novice chases last spring, at Cheltenham then here; attractively handicapped on that form and could be suited by these fences, but this season has been somewhat underwhelming and he needs a boost from the first-time tongue-tie and cheekpieces. |
14/1 |
|
7th 7 |
4th Apr 2025 Good To Soft 2m 5f 19y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
Front-runner who was runner-up in two 2m4f Grade 1 novice chases last spring, at Cheltenham then here; attractively handicapped on that form and could be suited by these fences, but this season has been somewhat underwhelming and he needs a boost from the first-time tongue-tie and cheekpieces. |
14/1 |
|
7th 2 |
13th Mar 2025 Good To Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 6lb |
Powerful front-runner when on song, as when winning twice over C&D (soft and good to soft) last midwinter before finishing an honourable runner-up in Grade 1 novice at the Festival; had some problems since but said to be showing better signs at home of late and is weighted to have a say, off just 2lb higher than the latest win; a revival could be on the way. |
10/1 |
10/11
Form: -31211 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 158
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1st 2 |
10th Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 200y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Two Grade 1 wins, namely the 2m4f novice chase at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival (soft) and this season's Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft); ran well for a long way before fading into fourth in last month's Gold Cup at Cheltenham (3m2f, good to soft); this drop back in trip could well be a positive move; effective here and respected in first-time cheekpieces. |
2/1 |
|
4th 5 |
13th Mar 2026 Good 3m 2f 70y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Won the 2m4f novice chase at the 2024 Festival (soft) and added a second Grade 1 win in the Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft) this season; a mistake two out proved costly when 5l third of four to Spillane's Tower in the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase here (3m1f, soft) in January and he rallied up the hill; however, he may just lack the required class today. |
12/1 |
|
3rd 1 |
24th Jan 2026 Soft 3m 1f 56y Class 1 |
11st 10lb |
Top-class 9yo, successful in ten of his 18 races; better than ever on his last two starts, winning Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m1f, good to soft) on reappearance with plenty in hand; has run well on both his outings at Cheltenham; again looks the one to beat. |
8/13 |
25/1
Form: -12136 D
Last run: 28 days
W: 11st 7lb
7 yo Gelding
OR: 147
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
3 |
1st Jan 2025 Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
held up in rear, headway 10th, hampered 12th, midfield when fell 4 out |
7/2 |
|
3 |
1st Jan 2025 Soft 2m 4f 127y Class 1 |
11st 4lb |
held up in rear, headway 10th, hampered 12th, midfield when fell 4 out |
7/2 |
|
1 |
27th Dec 2024 Soft 2m 3f 98y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
|
10/1
Form: -22161 D
Last run: 47 days
W: 11st 7lb
6 yo Gelding
OR: 145
| Place / No / Draw |
Date / Going /
Distance / Class |
Time + Course Horse + Weight Jockey / Trainer |
Verdict | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2nd 2 |
25th Apr 2026 Good 2m 6f 164y Class 1 |
11st 2lb |
Has shown good form for new stable, mostly in handicaps, including at the Cheltenham Festival (3m1f); defied top weight at Chepstow (2m3f, good to soft) most recently, looking better than ever; leading chance at the weights in his bid for a second Grade 2 success. |
7/4 |
|
1st 1 |
2nd Apr 2026 Good To Soft 2m 3f 98y Class 2 |
12st 0lb |
This 8yo arrives in career-best form after his staying-on efforts in Newbury's Greatwood Gold Cup (2m4f) and the Ultima at Cheltenham (3m1f; again on good to soft; won on good); has to be feared, for all that he's 4lb higher than for those runs and 2m3f is on the tight side for him. |
5/2 |
|
4th 12 |
10th Mar 2026 Good To Soft 3m 1f 0y Class 1 |
11st 1lb |
Kept on well for third in handicap at Ascot (3m, good) in November and creditable third of six on stable debut in Grade 1 Ascot Chase (2m5f, good to soft) last month, before close second in handicap at Newbury (2m4f, good to soft) ten days ago; he was 10l clear of the third last time and is 4lb ahead of the handicapper off the same mark today; the step back up in trip could be a firm plus and he showed promise here last April; one to consider seriously. |
12/1 |
+o+e Accumulators
| Payout | |
|---|---|
| Exacta | £12.70 |
| Straight Forecast | £14.10 |
| Trifecta | £17.10 |
Selections
RP RATINGS:
Grey DawningSPOTLIGHT:
Il Etait TempsPOSTDATA:
Ginny's DestinyThe Star:
Blow Your WadLAMBOURN:
Colonel HarryTelegraph:
Il Etait TempsDaily Mail:
Il Etait TempsDaily Mirror:
Il Etait Temps