NICO’S GREEN LIGHT FOR BITE

MIGHT BITE has regular jockey Nico De Boinville and his favoured ground conditions as he faces four rivals in the Betfair Chase at Haydock tomorrow.

De Boinville (right), who has been sidelined by a thumb injury since the end of last month, was yesterday given the all-clear to return for the Nicky Henderson trainee’s bid for revenge against Cheltenham Gold

Cup conqueror Native River.

The jockey admitted it was a

“big relief” to make his comeback in time for tomorrow — he gets the leg up on boss Nicky Henderson’s Wenyerreadyfreddie at Ascot this afternoon. Might Bite’s owner Simon Philip is content to see a decent racing surface at Haydock. “Five of the last six runnings have been on heavy ground, but these conditions bring everyone into the contest — it’s a Gold Cup in all but name,” said Philip yesterday.

Native River is accompanied by Colin Tizzard stablemate Thistlecrack, with reigning title-holder Bristol De Mai and the Paul Nichollssaddled Clan Des Obeaux completing the quintet.