Might Bite can outspeed River
THERE can be little doubt that the Grade One Betfair Chase is the race of the winter so far – in fact, it’s even money we get to see a better line-up of top-class chasers all season.
Thistlecrack has been beaten in three chases since he flew home in the 2016 King George VI Chase at Kempton, while conditions are a lot faster than last year, when mud lover Bristol De Mai glided over the sludge to oblige by 57 lengths.
Nigel Twiston-Davies will walk the track this morning to decide if the ground is suitable for Bristol De Mai to take part in the contest.
MIGHT BITE (3.00) was outstayed by Native River in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, when the ground resembled the Somme, but back on a much sounder surface, Nicky Henderson’s superb fencer is a confident choice to take his revenge.
The easiest winner we witnessed at Cheltenham last weekend was FIRST ASSIGNMENT (2.25) who bolted up off a rating of 130. Ian Williams’ fast-improving sort was hiked up to a new mark of 143, but the five-yearold can still race off 135 in the Betfair Exchange Handicap Hurdle.
As this race closed early, First Assignment has to shoulder only a 5lb penalty.
At Lingfield Park, BREATHLESS TIMES (1.25) will carry my hard-earned in the Sun Racing Conditions Stakes as he has been crying out for this step up to seven furlongs.
Roger Charlton’s horse would have gone close to landing the Three-Year-Old Championship Conditions Stakes here at the end of March had he obtained a clear passage.
He showed his trademark turn of foot to capture a six-furlong handicap at Chelmsford City off a rating of 95 in September under Adam McNamara, and the in-form pilot can claim 3lb.