2.50 BETWAY BOWL CHASE

FOR the great majority of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, MIGHT BITE looked the likely winner and he may gain compensation for his defeat at the hands of Native River here.

A combination of deep ground, a durable rival who never missed a beat at his fences and a stiff climb to the line found out the King George winner who arrived at the bottom of the Prestbury Park hill still travelling strongly.

On the day, the exacting conditions took their toll on Might Bite who couldn’t reel in the winner, but today’s flatter track and the prospect of better ground can see him repeat his win in the Grade One Betway Mildmay Novices’ Chase at this meeting 12 months ago.

It might be a little too early to write off Definitly Red who was 35 lengths behind Might Bite last month — especially as his rider reported he felt flat and was never really travelling.

Definitly Red had previously run out a game winner of the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January (Bristol De Mai beaten 10 lengths in third) and had thumped Cloudy Dream over this course and distance by seven lengths before Christmas.

Connections dispatched Bristol De Mai for a wind operation following his reverse at Cheltenham in January and it will be fascinating to see what impact he can make, especially if it continues to rain here in Liverpool.