2023 Manifesto Novices Chase Tips
We’re looking forward to a competitive 2023 Manifesto Novices Chase, with Jonbon likely to go off favourite to bounce back to winning ways. The seven-year-old found El Fabiolo too good in the Arkle Chase last month, although Nicky Henderson’s runner had previously scored a hat-trick of consecutive wins and could be returning to the winners’ enclosure.
Jonbon was a winner at the 2022 Grand National meeting when scoring in the Top Novices’ Hurdle by beating El Fabiolo by a neck, with the former capable of winning with a repeat performance and the horse was comfortably clear of the chasing pack when finishing second in the Arkle, although perhaps Stage Star can provide some food for thought after an impressive Cheltenham showing.
Paul Nicholls saw his runner claim a victory in the opening race on Day Three of the Cheltenham Festival when winning the Turners Novices’ Chase, with the seven-year-old able to oblige with a three-length victory, while the much-fancied Mighty Potter was only finishing third in the same race.
Banbridge finished second to El Fabiolo in the Irish Arkle Chase at Leopardstown and this ten-length defeat now looks like good form considering the latter’s performance at Cheltenham. Joseph O’Brien will hope the ground comes good for his charge and Complete Unknown has to be respected after winning a handicap chase at Kempton Park.