De Boinville passed fit

● Jockey will steer Might Bite into battle with Native River

Nico de Boinville will partner Might Bite when he renews rivalry with Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Native River in tomorrow’s Betfair Chase at Haydock.

The jockey has been sidelined since suffering a thumb injury in a fall at Chepstow almost a month ago.

Trainer Nicky Henderson revealed that Noel Fehily had schooled Might Bite ahead of potentially taking over in the saddle. However, De Boinville has been passed fit and will be on board when last season’s King George winner bids to turn the table on his Cheltenham Gold Cup conqueror Native River, trained by Colin Tizzard and ridden by champion jockey Richard Johnson.

De Boinville told Unibet: “I am delighted to announce that I was passed fit by my specialist on Wednesday and the BHA (British Horseracing Authority) have just given me the allclear this morning.

“The plan is to kick straight on, and get back in the saddle at Ascot on Friday, where I am on We ny er ready fred die in the opener… and then I ride a certain Might Bite.”

Tizzard, who won the Betfair Chase three times with the popular Cue Card, has a second string to his bow in Thistlecrack – who will make his first appearance since finishing fourth behind Might Bite when defending his King George crown at Kempton on Boxing Day of last year.

The Nigel Twiston-daviestrained Bristol De Mai was a 57-length winner of the race in testing conditions 12 months ago and adds further strength in depth to a small but select field of just five runners.

The line-up is completed by Clan Des Obeaux, who bids to provide Paul Nicholls with a seventh Betfair Chase success.

Today, Dupioni can make the most of having her sights lowered on her return to Kempton. Rae Guest’s filly won at the Sunbury venue in October and was pitched in at Listed level at Newmarket a few weeks ago. She finished last of seven but was hampered and was only beaten seven lengths.

Dropping in class for division one of the 100% Profit Boost At 32Redsport.com Fillies’ Novice Stakes, she should prove hard to beat.