La Bague Au Roi ready to do it for the girls in Manifesto Novices' Chase

1.45 Aintree
Devenish Manifesto Novices' Chase (Grade 1) | 2m4f | 5yo+ | ITV/RTV

A mare running in this race has been a rarity, with only four competing since its inception in 2009. Rene's Girl finished runner-up last year, and La Bague Au Roi looks well equipped to provide victory for the mares this season.

Very good over hurdles, the eight-year-old has taken her form to new heights this season as a chaser, winning all four starts with two coming at the highest level.

On Boxing Day she dispatched subsequent RSA one-two Topofthegame and Santini in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase, before making the most of a trip to Leopardstown, where she captured the Flogas Novice Chase.

La Bague Au Roi heads Topofthegame in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase last DecemberCredit: Edward Whitaker

Having sidestepped Cheltenham, the daughter of Doctor Dino comes into the race refreshed, and trainer Warren Greatrex believes she has a lot in her favour.

He said: "She seems in extremely good form, looks amazing and schooled well last week.

"We definitely made the right decision leaving Cheltenham as that gave her an extra three weeks to get over Leopardstown.

"She's beaten everything she's come up against and I couldn't have her in better form. She gets the 7lb allowance and if she runs her race she's going to be a tough nut to crack."

The Mildmay Novices' Chase on Friday was under consideration for La Bague Au Roi, but Greatrex added: "There has been rain about and I didn't really want her to get in a slog over three miles. She's equally effective over two and a half, and Richard [Johnson] was keen to go down the two-and-a-half mile route."

Key number
One - the number of favourites to have won the Manifesto, with Captain Conan (2013) the only market leader to have obliged.

Kalashnikov ready to fire at longer trip

Stepping up in distance should not be a problem for Kalashnikov, whose pedigree is steeped in stamina.

Having run a mighty race in defeat to Summerville Boy in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at last season's Cheltenham Festival, things did not go to plan for the six-year-old at the meeting this time around when he unseated in the Arkle.

Kalashnikov (right) duels with Glen Forsa at Sandown last FebruaryCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Little blame could be thrown Kalashnikov's way, however, as he was left with nowhere to go when Ornua came down in front of him at the sixth fence.

Trainer Amy Murphy reported Kalashnikov to be none the worse for the experience, and said: "He's been absolutely fine and it will be a fact-finding mission ahead of next season.

"However, La Bague Au Roi is going to take a lot of beating."

Glen Forsa back for more after unseating in Arkle

Like Kalashnikov, Glen Forsa did not complete in the Arkle, with his bid ending at the fourth fence when he unseated Jonathan Burke.

Prior to that run the Mick Channon-trained seven-year-old had been a perfect three from three over fences, including a 19-length defeat of Kalashnikov at Sandown.

Channon said: "He's come out of Cheltenham well. [The unseating] happened and he's schooled well since.

"We're pleased with him and he's in good form. It looks a good race and we'll see what happens."

Bags in the groove and ready to go

Bags Groove is another to have bypassed Cheltenham, with his most recent outing coming at Kempton when winning the Grade 2 Pendil Novices' Chase in February.

The eight-year-old does have work to do to turn around form with La Bague Au Roi, having finished fifth in the Kauto Star, but trainer Harry Fry thinks his runner is in better heart this time around.

"We're far happier with where we are with him than when we took her on at Kempton, he wasn't on his A-game," said Fry.

"Hopefully the rain stays away. Kempton was a nice stepping stone to this meeting and we're hoping he can put up another bold show. La Bague Au Roi is the one we've all got to beat but we're looking forward to giving it our best go."

Elliott thinks track will suit Mengli Khan

Mengli Khan was third behind Defi Du Seuil – unfortunately ruled out of this race on Tuesday – in the JLT at Cheltenham, and trainer Gordon Elliott thinks the flatter track could play to the six-year-old's strengths.

Mengli Khan clears a fence at Leopardstown last DecemberCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Mengli Khan has performed consistently over fences this season, and Elliott said: "I was thrilled with Mengli Khan at Cheltenham, he travelled and jumped beautifully.

"I would imagine the track at Aintree would be tailor-made for him and hopefully he goes there with a decent chance."

Spiritofthegames the outsider but not without hope

Rounding out the field is Spiritofthegames for Dan Skelton, who saddled Rene's Girl to be runner-up 12 months ago.

The trainer said: "He ran well in handicap company last time and, while he's the outsider of the field, I'd give him a bit of a chance.

"La Bague Au Roi will be hard to beat but I'm very happy with him."

Spotlight verdict

Highly talented as well as thoroughly game, La Bague Au Roi (nap) has a good deal going for her and she can complete a Grade 1 hat-trick. Having been off the track for two months, she comes here fresher than her rivals and can justify the decision to sidestep the Cheltenham Festival. Bags Groove also bypassed Cheltenham and will be suited by this course, but he has work to do to reverse Kempton Boxing Day placings with the selection. Glen Forsa and Kalashnikov may yet rate higher over fences and could prove the biggest threats to the Greatrex mare.

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