Grand National betting: 2026 Aintree Manifesto contenders and tip

Ahead of the 2026 Grand National, Coral previews all of the races taking place at Aintree, continuing with the Manifesto Novices’ Chase on Thursday, April 9.

2026 Manifesto Novices’ Chase contenders and tip

With a small field of five runners and one clear standout, this race isn’t hard to decipher. 

Lulamba jumped off as the favourite for the Arkle at Cheltenham, having been unbeaten in three previous starts over fences. Unable to add another victory onto his record, though, he was beaten by Kargese, showing a chink in his armour for the first time. He tops the ratings in this company by 12 pounds, though, and is certainly the best and most consistent horse in the race, despite still being just a five-year-old. He will be very popular for Nicky Henderson.

Henry De Bromhead’s Koktail Divin has plenty of ability, but has yet to show that he is capable of winning a Grade One race. This trip, though, of two and a half miles, could be his secret weapon as his best opponents step up from two miles and could hit a weak spot in the final half mile. 

Mambonumberfive has won at this track before, but the extra half mile is an unknown for him currently. The firmer ground will be to his liking, though, and we can rule out his latest attempt at Warwick. Trainer Ben Pauling has been having a fantastic season and his horse could be able to hugely outrun his double figure odds, provided he takes to the extra trip. 

Jax Junior was unimpressive at Cheltenham but tends to be better over this longer trip, so he could be surprising here for Lucy Wadham. Blueking d’Oroux could be overpriced too, given that some of his best performances have come over this trip.

Coral’s big-race tip: Lulamba at 4/7

View the Grand National 2026 odds and specials.

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.