'This was always the target' - Nicholls hoping to crack Grade 1 with Pic D'Orhy

Thursday: 1.45 Aintree
SSS Super Alloys Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1) | 2m4f | 5yo+ | RTV

This year's Manifesto Novices' Chase lacks a superstar but we thought that before the 2021 running. Protektorat scored there and has arguably developed into Britain's best staying chaser, while among those beaten were subsequent Grade 1 second Hitman and Eldorado Allen, who accounted for Royale Pagaille and Clan Des Obeaux in the Denman two starts ago.

Pic D'Orhy is at least 5lb clear of the field and is the natural starting point when attempting to pinpoint the next star (he even carries a rating higher than every horse in last season's Manifesto bar Fusil Raffles).

The seven-year-old has landed a pair of Grade 2s this season, but has been well placed to do so. He fell short behind L'Homme Presse and Mister Coffey on his sole attempt in a top-level novice chase, where Nicholls cited the rain-softened good to soft ground as an excuse for the below-par effort.

The weather forecasts at Aintree therefore must be a worry and this second-season novice, who has nine chase starts under his belt, is open to less progression than a few.

At bigger odds, the frustrating but talented Millers Bank is a decent alternative. Admittedly he has a bit to find with Pic D'Orhy as he was beaten a length in the Pendil in receipt of 5lb last time. However, that was Millers Bank's first completed run since October (unseated Harry Bannister twice) and first since wind surgery.

He should improve for it. Millers Bank was better over his fences at Kempton but jumping out to his left contributed to his downing by Pic D'Orhy. Going this way will help and we mustn't forget he finished a cracking third to Abacadabras over this course and distance in the Aintree Hurdle last season.

The exciting Erne River also appeals. The unknown quantity with just two chase runs, Erne River has excelled in both starts over fences, comfortably beating last week's Listed winner at Ayr Beakstown on his chasing debut before an easy success at Wetherby last time out where he posted an impressive RPR of 154.

War Lord is interesting having stayed on to finish fourth in the Arkle after being outpaced turning for home. A winner of a two-mile chase on heavy ground at Lingfield two starts back, a step up in trip over fences for the first time could be exactly what is required for the seven-year-old grey who raced primarily over intermediate trips when hurdling.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

'This was always Pic D'Orhy's target'

There are few big races left for Paul Nicholls to win in Britain but he will bid for his breakthrough success in this Grade 1 with Pic D'Orhy.

The seven-year-old won the Grade 2 Noel Novices' Chase at Ascot on his third start of the season before finishing third behind Brown Advisory winner L'Homme Presse in the Scilly Isles at Sandown.

He then beat reopposing rival Millers Bank in the Pendil Novices' Chase at Kempton in February and is expected to go off near the top of the market for his first top-level success under stable jockey Harry Cobden.

Pic D'Orhy (pink): denied Millers Bank (yellow) last timeCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"I'd like to think he has a favourite's chance," said Nicholls of the former Betfair Hurdle winner. "He likes a flat track, which is a big plus and that's why we didn't go to the festival. You can see that from his form at Kempton and Newbury.

"This was always the target we had in our minds if the ground wasn't too soft at Aintree and hopefully he's got a nice chance. His jumping has improved throughout the season and he'll need to jump well."

'I just hope Erne River is good enough'

Nick Kent will have his first Graded runner when his stable star Erne River bids to extend a remarkable unbeaten run with his fifth success in a row.

The seven-year-old won two novice hurdles last year in March and May before switching to fences, winning his two starts this year by a combined 19 lengths, including by 13 lengths on soft ground at Wetherby.

"Everything's gone to plan since Wetherby," said Kent. "I couldn't be happier with him. We were always worried about him on soft and heavy ground, and then he won on it over hurdles at Warwick.

"The ground was a real concern again at Wetherby but he went and did it well. Charlie Hammond every time he gave him a squeeze, he kept finding. He may prefer better ground but he's fairly versatile.

Erne River: will bid for his fifth success in a row for Nick KentCredit: Tim Goode (Getty Images)

"He's a real personality and he seems to love his racing. He really wants to do it and I don't think we could have dreamt he'd progress as dramatically as he has. I just hope he's good enough but he deserves his chance in a Grade 1. We've got 12 horses in training but there's always room for more. It's not getting any easier to attract owners but we've got better-quality horses than we've had."

What they say

Alex Hales, trainer of Millers Bank
He's come out of the Pendil really well and Aintree was always the plan. The two-and-a-half-miles looked the obvious route. He ran very well at this meeting on ground that wouldn't be too dissimilar.

Joe Tizzard, assistant trainer of The Widdow Maker and War Lord
We've always talked about stepping War Lord up in trip over a fence and it looks a lovely race. He's been consistent all season and stayed on again in the Arkle and seems to have come out of Cheltenham really well. We're expecting a big run from him. The Widdow Maker is a genuine 140 horse who likes to bounce and go a gallop and if we can pick up a bit of prize-money that would be lovely.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Gin On Lime
She's in good form and some of her form is working out nicely. She goes there with a decent chance, but it's definitely a case of the less rain the better for her.
Reporting by Jonathan Harding

Thursday's Aintree previews:

2.20 Aintree: 'You'd like to think he'll take a bit of beating' – Elliott confident in Piper

2.55 Aintree: Gold Cup third Protektorat out to prove best of British in Bowl at Aintree

3.30 Aintree: intermediate trip sets up fascinating clash between Epatante and Zanahiyr

4.05 Aintree: is Jett ready for take-off? Expert analysis and key quotes on the Foxhunters'

4.40 Aintree: front-running Before Midnight could be the one in a fast and furious Red Rum

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