Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 5m 1.37s

Cloudy Dream²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: B S Hughes| T: J M Jefferson| OR: 153

4/1

Has shown better form over fences than hurdles winning at Carlisle in October and Graduation Chase at Haydock winning that race by 12L. Runner-up in his three chase starts since, with by far his best effort coming when he was a respectable second in the Arkle to Altior. Ran better than his final placing suggested in the Arkle given the way the race was run and bound to win more races of that ilk when not meeting one of that quality.

Form: 13112-1

Cyrius Moriviere^t⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: David Bass| T: B Pauling| OR: 138

40/1

Failed to finish in four starts over fences but that probably doesn't tell the whole story. Likely to have won his penultimate start at Doncaster when unseating due to a tack problem but the jumping deficiencies resurfaced last time and he was pulled-up in a handicap again back at Doncaster. Comes with obvious risks here stepping up in grade.

Form: 1P1-09F

Flying Angel²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: N D Fehily| T: N & W Twiston-Davies| OR: 150

5/1

Turned in a smart effort over hurdles last year at Aintree when third to Yorkhill in a Grade 1 novice event. Started his chasing career with a win at Perth before disappointing on two subsequent starts at Chepstow and Cheltenham but came back from a break to score in fine style in the Kingmaker Novices' Chase at Warwick when well backed. Best to forgive his Festival run in the JLT when he was sixth but badly hampered in the race and deserves to take his chance here.

Form: 3-1FP16

Frodon⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Sam Twiston-Davies| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 153

5/1

Taken to fences well, winning six of his seven completed starts with the highlight being the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham in December. Fell when tried over 3m at Kempton Park over Christmas but bounced back from that mishap with two sound victories in small field chases at Musselburgh and Kempton Park jumping in typically sound fashion. Steps back up in grade but hard to rule out of the equation.

Form: 11101F

Max Ward¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Adrian Heskin| T: T R George| OR: 142

12/1

The upward curve in his form has very much mirrored that of the yard that are having one of their best seasons. Formerly useful over hurdles with his former yard, he came back from a long break to win on his chasing debut (handicap) at Huntingdon over 2m. Has got back on track on his last two starts winning a Kempton Park handicap in good style last time out by 5L. Struggled at this level when tried once before and will need to have improved.

Form: 2212/13

Top Notch²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: D A Jacob| T: N J Henderson| OR: 158

6/5

Very smart over hurdles and finished fifth in the 2016 Champion Hurdle. The switch to fences has been a successful one with four wins being recorded so far, the best of which came in Grade 1 company at Sandown in February. Produced his best run over fences in defeat, that came in the JLT at the Festival, where mistakes late on in the race just comprised his chance when beaten a length by Yorkhill. Very much deserves to be the market leader as he bids to gain compensation for his Festival defeat.

Form: 15-3111

Forecasts

Top Notch (6/5), Cloudy Dream (4/1), Flying Angel (5/1), Frodon (5/1), Max Ward (12/1), Cyrius Moriviere (40/1)

Small turnout for this Grade 1 race but an interesting and competitive race nonetheless with TOP NOTCH very much setting the standard after his sound run at the Festival in the JLT. His Sandown win had proven his worth at this level and although Flying Angel was slightly unlucky in that race he does have quite a task to reverse the form. Frodon cannot be faulted for his consistency this year and deserves another chance at this level; his sound jumping will stand him in good stead. The main danger though to Top Notch looks to come in the shape of the Arkle second Cloudy Dream who may well be suited by this increased trip and travels strongly in his races, he should give Top Notch plenty to think about.