Close Brothers Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 5m 13.47s

Blow Your Wad^p,t⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Stan Sheppard| T: T Lacey| OR: 145| D

17/2

Winning hurdler who built on chase debut when coming out on top in a Kempton handicap on Boxing Day. Possibly unsuited by track at Cheltenham next time, but back on track with cheekpieces reapplied when landing Grade 2 at former course (20.5f, soft) just under 7 weeks ago. More needed here, though.

Form: 9-22161

Colonel Harry^t²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: G Sheehan| T: Jamie Snowden| OR: 147

22/1

Likeable type who took 4-runner Towton Novices' Chase at Wetherby (19.5f) in January. However, he's had his limitations exposed at this level the last twice so it's easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 2-12136

Ginny's Destiny²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-7| J: H Cobden| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 155| D

4/1

Useful hurdler for Tom Lacey and quickly scaled greater heights over fences for new yard, completing a Cheltenham hat-trick in 20.5f handicap in January. Ran another cracker when runner-up to Grey Dawning at the Festival 4 weeks ago and this bold-jumping front-runner won't be far away.

Form: 3-71112

Grey Dawning²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-7| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 158| D

11/10

Grade 2 hurdle winner last term who has taken very well to fences, winning 21.5f Haydock graduation event and 3m Warwick Grade 2. Cemented his status as the leading British-trained novice when beating Ginny's Destiny by 2 lengths at the Festival 4 weeks ago and may not have finished improving.

Form: F-31211

Il Etait Temps^h,t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-7| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 155

3/1

Back on the up when producing a gutsy display to land the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown (17f) in February but again no match for stablemate Gaelic Warrior when third in Arkle at Cheltenham (15.9f, heavy) last month, making a couple significant mistakes. Back up in trip and warrants respect.

Form: 52-1213

Forecasts

Grey Dawning (11/10), Il Etait Temps (3/1), Ginny's Destiny (4/1), Blow Your Wad (17/2), Colonel Harry (22/1)

A mouth-watering curtain-raiser to the 2024 Grand National Festival which sees GREY DAWNING and Ginny's Destiny lock horns for a third time over fences and, with the state of play currently tied at one-all, Dan Skelton's 7-y-o is strongly fancied to tilt the scales in his favour with the heavy rain forecasted only enhancing his claims. Irish-raider Il Etait Temps can fill out third provided he keeps jumping errors to a minimum.