MIGHT BITE

would have won last season’s Kauto Star Novices’ Chase with ease had he not fallen at the last fence but I believe he will make no mistake this time around and win the King George VI Chase.

Had he stood up, Nicky Henderson’s chaser looked like he would have completed his race in a quicker time than Thistlecrack recorded when he won the King George later in the afternoon over the same course and distance.

Having won all his races since and arguably improved a few pounds, Might Bite is fully justified to be favourite.

Like some others sired by Scorpion, Might Bite may not be the most straightforward horse which will always keep jockey Nico De Boinville on his toes. But I don’t think he could be presented with a more suitable challenge than he set around the three miles of Kempton’s flat circuit.

Thistlecrack comes here with a big question mark over him, especially after his defeat over hurdles at Newbury last month on his first run after recuperating from injury.

He is a class horse and was an incredibly impressive winner last year. It is too early to be writing him off but I think the most interesting runner in the race away from Might Bite is Fox Norton.

This is a contest which has been won by horses who have had great records over shorter distances, including Desert Orchid, Edredon Bleu, Kauto Star, One Man and Wayward Lad.

This is the first time Fox Norton has run over three miles but he has performed well over two- and- a- half miles and I think there is a good chance he will stay. Champion Hurdler BUVEUR

D’AIR simply cannot be opposed in the Christmas Hurdle while I like BALLYOPTIC in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase. His win at Exeter is good form and his subsequent defeat at Cheltenham behind Black Corton was in a race that possibly came too soon to ensure he had recovered.

SIMPLY THE BETTS, who has some good Bumper form and receives weight from most of his rivals, can win the opener.