Photo by Wikimedia Commons, CC by 2.0
Back in 2009, the Manifesto Novices’ Chase kicked off as a Grade Two event. However, it didn’t take long before it got bumped up to Grade One – that happened just three years down the line.
The race takes its name from Manifesto, the famous horse who managed to win the Grand National on two separate occasions.
Manifesto had a successful nine year Grand National stint between the years 1895 and 1904. The competition was going through a period of declining popularity back then, mostly because of corruption, but Manifesto won back the fans with his incredible performances.
The 16-fence race returns every April when the Grand National comes around. As you’d guess from the name, it’s strictly for novice chasers only.
Manifesto Novices’ Chase Details
| Date | Early April |
| Start Time (GMT) | Usually 13:45 |
| Distance | 2 miles and 4 furlongs |
| Type | Steeplechase |
| Prize | £100,000 |
| Where to Watch | ITV1 and Racing TV (2025) |
| Horses’ Age | 5+ |
Who Won the Manifesto Novices’ Chase in 2025?
Impaire Et Passe stormed to victory in 2025, handing Willie Mullins and Paul Townend a successful defence of their crown. Il Etait Temps had carried their colours to glory twelve months earlier.
Earlier, Impaire Et Passe ran at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival but couldn’t get near Ballyburn, who powered clear to win by ten lengths. He’d had better luck earlier with wins at both Limerick and Fairyhouse. Worth mentioning as well that this horse won the William Hill Aintree Hurdle in 2024.
Merseyrail Manifesto Novices’ Chase: Recent Winners
| Year | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 2025 | Impaire Et Passe | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 9/4 |
| 2024 | Il Etait Temps | Paul Townend | Willie Mullins | 3/1 |
| 2023 | Banbridge | JJ Slevin | Joseph O’Brien | 2/1 |
| 2022 | Millers Bank | Kielan Woods | Alex Hales | 7/1 |
| 2021 | Protektorat | Harry Skelton | Dan Skelton | 17/2 |
| 2020 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2019 | Kalashnikov | Jack Quinlan | Amy Murphy | 4/1 |
| 2018 | Finian’s Oscar | Robbie Power | Colin Tizzard | N/A |
| 2017 | Flying Angel | Noel Fehily | Nigel Twiston-Davies | N/A |
| 2016 | Arzal | Gavin Sheehan | Harry Whittington | N/A |
Merseyrail Manifesto Novices’ Chase: Tips, Predictions and Previews
Watch this space. Closer to the date, once the full race list has been revealed, we’ll be posting our expert Merseyrail Manifesto Novices’ Chase tips and predictions.
