Racehorse Lotto Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:53 | Winning time: 4m 59.24s

Banbridge⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: J J Slevin| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 152| D

2/1

Landed the Martin Pipe in 2022 and has quickly made up into an even better chaser, winning a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in November. No match for El Fabiolo in Irish Arkle at Leopardstown and missed the Cheltenham Festival last month on account of the ground. Major claims.

Form: 10-1132

Saint Roi^t³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Mark Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 152

3/1

Very smart hurdler who showed he's as good over fences with a Grade 1 success at Leopardstown on Boxing Day. Unseated halfway in the Irish Arkle but back on track at the Cheltenham Festival when third behind 2 very good novices, helped by the run of the race. In the mix back up in trip.

Form: 4321U3

Stage Star²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 155| D

6/4

Challow Hurdle winner last term who has excelled over fences this season, taking his form up another notch with victory in Golden Miller Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month. A bold-jumping front runner, he's in with a serious shout with better still to come.

Form: P-12111

Straw Fan Jack³⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Sean Houlihan| T: Sheila Lewis| OR: 141| C| D

28/1

Built for chasing and left his hurdle form behind when winning novices at Ffos Las (handicap) and Cheltenham in October. Lost unbeaten record over fences in a Newbury handicap next time and rather predictably found things too competitive in the Arkle last month. This another tough ask.

Form: 47-1144

Visionarian⁶⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: Keith Donoghue| T: Peter Fahey| OR: 149| D

14/1

Irish raider who won his first couple of starts over fences last July and took a step forward when 2½ lengths to Saint Roi in Grade 1 at Leopardstown on Boxing Day. Failed by a long chalk to repeat that in Irish Arkle since though, so best to look elsewhere.

Form: 0-11226

Forecasts

Stage Star (6/4), Banbridge (2/1), Saint Roi (3/1), Visionarian (14/1), Straw Fan Jack (28/1)

Just the 5 runners for the Grand National Festival opener but it promises to be a cracker, STAGE STAR selected to take his record to 5-6 over the larger obstacles and add a second success at the top level to his CV following his Cheltenham Festival glory in the Golden Miller last month. The ground went against Banbridge that day, so he's fancied to give the selection most to think about returning from a couple of months off, with Saint Roi seemingly best of the rest.