BITE THE BIG ONE
Grounds for calling Gold Cup revenge
MIGHT BITE (3.00) can exact revenge on his Cheltenham Gold Cup conqueror Native River in a delicious renewal of the Betfair Chase today.
The duel between the two National Hunt superheavyweights provided the finest finish to jump racing’s blue riband for many years.
But in their rematch this afternoon there is one huge difference – the ground. At Cheltenham it was heavy, which blunted the speed of Might Bite and put the emphasis on stamina. Today at Haydock, unusually for November, the ground is good and Nicky Henderson’s classy chaser will love it.
Native River will still be hard to beat – he always is. But what a second string Colin Tizzard has in the shape of Thistlecrack.
His presence adds an extra dimension to the contest and if he is anywhere near the horse who won the King George in 2016 he will have these for breakfast.
Bristol De Mai won this race by 57 lengths last year in heavy ground but may struggle on the quicker surface, while Clan Des Obeaux cannot be discounted.
CHTI BALKO (1.50) loves Haydock and is cracking each-way value at around 10-1, while the talented
PAISLEY PARK (2.25) can see off First Assignment in the Betfair Exchange Stayers’ Handicap.
At Ascot, the highly regarded IF THE CAP FITS (2.40) can take the Coral Hurdle on his way to much better
FOLLOWING the demolition job with Baron Alco at Cheltenham last Saturday, his trainer Gary Moore is hoping for more fireworks with Benatar in today’s Christy 1965 Chase at Ascot.
The horse had been an intended runner in the BetVictor Gold Cup, won by his bold, frontrunning stablemate, before the unsuitable ground ruled him out of the race.
Regarding further high-profile Saturday glory, Moore said: “I would like to think we can do it again.
“There’s no reason why not. He likes the track – he’s won both of his two starts there – and the ground, which is good to soft, is perfect for him.
“So, yeah, I’m hoping for a big run.”
Moore, never one to overplay his hand, believes the progressive Benatar can step up into the premier league and take on the big guns.
Cherished
“He has an entry in the King George at Kempton,” said Moore, who knows a good horse when one comes along. Sire De Grugy, for one, was a credit to the universally popular trainer.
The five-times Grade One winner gave Moore one of his most cherished moments when capturing the 2014 Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, with his son Jamie in the saddle.
“Benatar has more stamina than Sire De Grugy but he’s not as quick,” said Moore.
Jamie, who was in the saddle when Baron Alco triumphed last Saturday, will again take the reins.
Josh, Gary’s youngest son, had been booked for Baron Alco at Cheltenham but was replaced by his brother when Benatar was taken out. Surprisingly, this did not cause any bad feelings between the pair.
“He was never my ride,” explained Josh. “And I’m delighted that Jamie got to ride him.“They built up a good