Devenish Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 5m 5.80s

Bags Groove^t⁴⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: S Bowen| T: H Fry| OR: 153| CD

11/2

Beaten just the once over fences since the summer break, when flopping behind La Bague Au Roi at Kempton (3m, good to soft) on Boxing Day; strongest at 2m4f on a flat track (an Aintree hurdles winner); could provide the value-based option.

Form: 211151

Glen Forsa²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: J J Burke| T: M R Channon| OR: 150| D

11/2

Lost his unbeaten record over fences when unseating his rider early on in the Arkle (2m) at the Cheltenham Festival; versatile in terms of trip (generally races handily); had the measure of Kalashnikov in the Gr 2 Kingmaker Chase at Sandown.

Form: 22111U

Kalashnikov²³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: J M Quinlan| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 148

4/1

Classy hurdler who looked booked for top rank in this division earlier in the season following short odds wins at Warwick and Plumpton; has suffered various setbacks since, including when hampered and unseating rider in the Arkle latest; new trip.

Form: 2-1122U

Mengli Khan^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-4| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 151

7/1

Made a winning start over fences in a Beginners' Chase at Punchestown (2m, good) in November before twice left firmly in the wake of Le Richebourg; third, best of the rest behind Defi Du Seuil and Lostintranslation in the JLT Chase at Cheltenham.

Form: 33-1433

Spiritofthegames^p²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-4| J: Harry Skelton| T: D Skelton| OR: 150| D

8/1

Made a winning chasing debut at Chepstow (2m3f, good) before being soundly beaten by La Bague Au Roi at Newbury; arrives with rock-solid handicap form in the book - a never nearer third in the Plate at the Cheltenham Festival; sterner test.

Form: 57-1433

La Bague Au Roi⁶⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 10-11| J: R Johnson| T: W Greatrex| OR: 152| C| D

7/4

A strapping, game mare who scarcely knows the meaning of the word defeat (14-19 career); unbeaten in four starts over fences (2m4f-3m), including in the Grade 1 Flogas at Leopardstown (2m5f, good) latest; bumper winner at this track in 2015.

Form: 77-1111

Forecasts

La Bague Au Roi (7/4), Kalashnikov (4/1), Bags Groove (11/2), Glen Forsa (11/2), Mengli Khan (7/1), Spiritofthegames (8/1)

The Manifesto Chase took on a whole different complexion with the defection of Defi Du Seuil earlier on in the week, and also news that the admirable mare La Bague Au Roi would swerve the 3m option on account of rain-softened ground. Warren Greatrex's mare is as game as a pebble, and in remaining unbeaten over fences has already accounted for a few of these rivals. She should run her usual rock-solid race, but with just a few nagging doubts persisting about her suitability to Aintree, a chance is taken on the 2m4f specialist BAGS GROOVE who is 4-6 over the larger obstacles, and can probably be excused his flop in the 3m Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.