MIGHT BITE RETIRED
BITE, the 2017 King George VI Chase winner, has been retired by trainer Nicky Henderson.
The 12-year- old subsequently finished second to Native River in the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup in a thrilling contest before winning the Grade One Betway Bowl at Aintree by seven lengths from Bristol De Mai.
But he never reached those heights again. Might Bite was beaten in his last nine starts, including a shot at the Cross Country Chase at last season’s Festival and being pulled up on his last run in the Grand Sefton Chase over the Grand National fences at Aintree last month.
Most memorably, Might Bite won the RSA Chase at the 2017 Festival, rallying to pip stablemate Whisper despite throwing away a 10-length lead at the last fence and veering violently right-handed.
Henderson said: ‘It was an amazing journey but not one without a few hiccups along the way.’
■ GOLDIKOVA, one of the best mares ever to race, has died at the age of 16. Trained by Freddie Head in France, Goldikova won the Breeders’ Cup Mile three times (2008-10).
■ JOCKEY Robbie Power, who has been based in Britain this season, announced on Twitter last night: ‘Due to the increased number of Covid- 19 cases in Ireland and the UK and the uncertainty over travel restrictions I have decided to stay in Ireland with my family until restrictions ease.’
■ TODAY’S meeting at Musselburgh has been abandoned because of a frozen track and there is an 8.30am inspection at Ffos Las.