Might has the pace to start Triple Crown bid
TAKE (Haydock, 3.00) to bare his teeth and gain revenge on Native River in today’s enthralling Betfair Chase.
An unseasonably dry autumn has left conditions at the venue unusually quick and the good ground will surely nullify the hopes of mud-loving duo Native River and Bristol De Mai, while accentuating the claims of the smooth-travelling selection.
Might Bite has only suffered one defeat at the highest level when completing — he fell at the last in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase in 2016 when well clear — that reverse sustained in last season’s Gold Cup at the hands of Native River.
However, the four-length loss was surely down to the heavy going which played to the strengths of a grinder like Colin Tizzard’s gelding who had won a Welsh National and two Denman Chases on deep ground.
In contrast, Might Bite’s premier performances have been recorded on better surfaces. Neither of the two main protagonists has enjoyed the benefit of an outing yet this season, but as both sets of connections have been targeting the £1million bonus on offer for any horse completing the 2018-19 chasing triple crown, fitness should not be an issue.
Might Bite is a best-priced 12-1 to win today’s prestigious event, the King George on St Stephen’s Day and go one better in the Gold Cup in March and it will be disappointing if he can’t make an ideal start today. Fans of Bristol De Mai will point to his outstanding track record, where three visits to Merseyside have produced victories by 32, 22 and 57 lengths respectively.
However, those displays were also achieved on heavy, soft and heavy ground respectively and, unless there is significant rainfall, Might Bite will have too much pace. M THE BHA prevented favourite Earl of Bunnacurry from running in Wolverhampton’s Betway Vegas Handicap last night after another embarrassing gaffe. A handicapping error meant the Gavin Cromwelltrained four-year-old had been allotted the wrong weight.