2nd Bite of cherry
MIGHT BITE and Native River face off in Haydock’s Betfair Chase today for the first time since their brilliant battle in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Native River triumphed on that occasion in soft conditions, but with good ground at Haydock I fancy Nicky Henderson’s Might Bite to reverse the form this afternoon.
Only five go to post for the Grade 1 contest, but what a five they are.
won the race by 57 lengths last year, but finished behind Might Bite twice since and was also behind Definitely Red and American at Cheltenham in January.
was also behind Might Bite at Aintree, but did win impressively on this card 12 months ago, while
is returning from injury.
The former World Hurdle and King George winner would defiwnitely be a contender if coming back at his best, but he is winless in his last three runs and has more questions to answer than the others.
Might Bite has plenty of quirks, but if he puts everything together here on his favoured ground, he should win with Native River perhaps chasing him home.
Also at Haydock,
should take all the beating in the Betfair Exchange Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle.
He has won his two runs to date this season, both at Cheltenham including by nine lengths last time.
That was his first time running at three miles since his pointing debut and he could score over the same distance here again.
MODUS (4/1)
Modus rallied gamely to narrowly of Duke Of score at Cheltenham ahead in Navan last time. More favourable the weights, should take all the beating.
is an interesting runner for Gordon Elliott in the same contest, with champion jockey Richard Johnson taking the ride.
Ascot hosts two Grade 2 contests today, but neither Samcro or Laurina will be taking their chances in the Coral Hurdle due to the going.
should land the contest for trainer Harry Fry and jockey Noel Fehily. He tasted defeat behind Verdana Blue at Wincanton earlier this month, which was just his second career loss from seven runs.
He was well ahead of
that occasion and I fancy him to uphold the form here. The absence of Min in the Christy 1965 Chase makes it race to lose in my opinion. He pulled off a surprise when beating Willie Mullins’ runner in the Melling Chase at Aintree in his last run and Paul Nicholls’ horses have been hitting the ground running this season. I think he could win against today’s opposition with a bit in hand.