1.45 2m. 3f. 200yds. 5 Declared. Racehorse Lotto Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1 ) of £120,000.00 5-y-o plus
1st - €67,524.00 2nd - €25,440.00 3rd - €12,732.00 4th - €6,360.00 5th - €3,192.00 6th - €1,596.00 7th - €792.00 8th - €408.00
Formscan - An intriguing Manifesto Novices' Chase to kick off the famous Grand National meeting with a small, yet relatively competitive field of five lining up. The Paul Nicholls-trained STAGE STAR caught the eye when bolting up in the Turners' at Cheltenham last month and he seems a worthy favourite, at the time of writing, based on the nature of that success. He has barely put a foot wrong since making the switch from timber to fences, with four wins from five chase starts, and he is entitled to add to that tally here. However, Grade 2 chase winner Banbridge was by no means disgraced when filling the runner-up spot in the Irish Arkle in February, despite finishing 10 lengths behind subsequent Arkle hero El Fabiolo, and a stiffer stamina test here can see him sneak even further into contention. Saint Roi finished in third behind his El Fabiolo at Cheltenham last month and is another to consider stepping up in trip.