Aintree Manifesto Novices' Chase Betting Tips

Architect Tips

ERNE RIVER has seen defeat just once in his career which came on debut when third and since being switched to fences, Nick Kent’s charge has done nothing but improve in which he’s two-from-two. He scored impressively both times, including at Doncaster last time, where he powered to a thirteen-length success under Charlie Hammond.

He looks to have a bright future and while he slightly has a bit to find with a few of these on the bare form, he’s open to more improvement and can make his presence felt now tackling Grade 1 company for the first time in his career.

MILLERS BANK is the other one I really like in the Manifesto Novices' Chase, who put aside two non-completions when a close-up second behind Paul Nicholls’ charge in the Pendil at Kempton when last spotted. 

He was still going fairly well in the dipper when unseating his rider four out at Cheltenham, while his unseat at Newbury in a Grade 2 also featured Pic D’Orhy in which I’m still convinced he would have beaten him if the pair managed to complete as he was closing the gap on the leader until both their incidents.

He’s 5Ib worse off with Pic D’Orhy than when they met last time I feel that was a really good effort, as he travelled better than the winner and stayed on strongly in the closing stages to only be beaten a length, where a good jump at the last ultimately helped Paul Nicholls’ charge win the race. 

That would have been a nice confidence booster for Alex Hales’ star performer however, who’s going to be better suited to the extra furlong here and we know the track suits too, as his career-best performance to date came over track and trip at this meeting twelve months ago. 

He was third behind Abacadabras and Buzz in last year’s Aintree Hurdle which is seriously good form and a return to this venue on that basis will very much suit the eight-year-old.

It’s plausible to suggest that we haven’t seen the best of him yet in this sphere despite having some high-class form in his back catalogue and at a general 8/1, I think he’s an excellent each-way bet in this with a great chance of gaining revenge on the favourite with this course undeniably going to play more to his strengths.

Steve Ryder

This looks a competitive renewal of the Manifesto Novices’ Chase and I think it worth backing WAR LORD on this step up in trip. The Colin Tizzard trained seven-year-old has won three out of his five starts over fences and comes into the race having finished fourth in the Arkle at the Cheltenham festival. 

That looked a good race on paper and War Lord just seemed to be outpaced over the 2 mile trip when the pace increased 3 out but stayed on well to finish only three lengths behind Blue Lord. 

War Lord finished second behind Edwardstone in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown in December but has won at Newton Abbott, Carlisle and Lingfield this season. He has 5lbs to find with Pic D’Orhy on ratings but should improve for this step up in trip and I expect him to get back to winning ways.