Manifesto was one of Aintree’s all-time greats. He ran in eight Grand Nationals (a record) between 1895 and 1904, winning twice, finishing third three times and fourth once. His second victory came carrying 12-7 after he all but came down slipping on landing over the Canal Turn. He was twelve when the following year (1900) he fought out the finish with the Prince of Wales’s Ambush II, the crowd desperately cheering on both of them, wanting neither to lose. On the run-in Manifesto’s huge burden of 12-13 – 24 pounds more than the royal runner – gradually took its toll. When victory was beyond him his jockey eased up and he lost second place by a neck. One observer wrote, “There were actually tears in men’s eyes at the thought of Manifesto’s defeat … I can write no more about it. There are some things about which it appears almost sacrilege to write in black and white.”
That wasn’t enough for his owner, and he competed again aged 14, 15 and 16. In his final appearance in 1904 he humped 12-11 round, finished an honourable ninth and came in to a great ovation.
He was brought back into training in the autumn and ran in the Valentine Chase, but pulled up with a career-ending injury. His long-deserved retirement only lasted a year before he died. His skeleton was preserved and restored, and can be seen in Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery and Museum.
As with any Aintree race names, John Pinfold’s books are the best source of information – in this case his 2016 blockbuster titled Aintree – The History of the Racecourse.
Manifesto also ran in shorter races over the National fences without winning any. Nevertheless, only Red Rum has surpassed his achievements.
The Manifesto Novices Chase over two miles was introduced at the 2009 National meeting. Now a Grade 1, it is the natural follow-up for the top novices after the Arkle at Cheltenham.