RAIN’S A THREAT TO MIGHT BITE

THe arduous conditions — with significant rain turning the going to heavy (soft in places) — are threatening Might Bite’s position as ante-post favourite for the Gold Cup.

it is a position he may not occupy come Friday, with Coral predicting last year’s third Native River will end up starting favourite. Spokesman David Stevens said: ‘if we get a soft ground Gold Cup, there is every chance Native River will start favourite. That’s not because Might Bite may not like the ground, but Native River, a Welsh National winner with stamina to spare, is proven in it.’

Racegoers today should make the most of the one predicted dry afternoon. Rain is forecast at some stage on each of the last three days and clerk of the course Simon Claisse said he had never faced such an unsettled forecast for Festival week during 18 years in the job.