Might Bite targets Doncaster boost

The horse had Kempton’s Grade One Kauto Star Novices Chase at his mercy on Boxing Day when falling heavily at the final fence.

In a rush of blood, he was needlessly asked for a big jump by jockey Daryl Jacob when a more conservative approach would have been more prudent.

Yet the form of this race is so rock solid that Might Bite remains a leading contender for next month’s three-mile RSA Chase,

The default winner Royal Guardsman, trained by Colin Tizzard, won a fiercely competitive handicap at Cheltenham last month while Frodon, who also crashed out at the last when put off by the stricken Might Bite, returned to winning ways at Musselburgh on Sunday for the Paul Nicholls stable.

Even though Might Bite only faces two rivals in the Soar Enterprises Online Ltd Novices’ Chase, Henderson simply wants a clean round of jumping before he contemplates loftier assignments at Cheltenham.

He says it’s an advantage that the horse, now eight, broke his duck over fences at Town Moor last December and stable jockey Nico de Boinville, just back from injury, replaces the aforementioned Jacob in the saddle.

Though Might Bite – owned by The Knot Again Partnership – was left battered and bruised by the Kempton fall, Henderson is just relieved the horse has recovered from his ordeal.

“I wouldn’t be running him if I wasn’t happy with him,” he told The Yorkshire Post.

“It’s all about confidence. It was a horrific fall and he just needs to have a good round.

“He couldn’t go to Cheltenham on the back of that fall – it was horrific.

“We’ll see how Doncaster goes before making any plans. He just needs to complete first.”

Henderson’s caution explains why he favours today’s race ahead of a more competitive graduation chase scheduled for tomorrow’s meeting at Kempton.

“The thought process was that it looked like being the easier option,” he conceded.

“He’s been very good at home since Boxing Day, but I just felt that after what happened, the easiest race I could find him would do the job and by going to Kempton I’d have been overlooking the obvious.

“Doncaster is a lovely track, the fences are spaced out lovely, he won’t be rushed over three miles and he’s already won there over fences.

“Admittedly when it happened I thought he’d take a long time to recover because in his first couple of races he was a bit spooky at his fences. However, he recovered remarkably quickly and hopefully he puts in a clear round.”

While most have been scared off by Might Bite, Warren Greatrex does take him on with Ma Du Fou.

“Ma Du Fou is a good horse in his own right. If Might Bite turns up he’s going to win, but it will be good experience,” said Greatrex. “It will be the first time we’ve run over three miles and that will help. Might Bite had a bad fall last time. If his confidence is dented hopefully we might be able to use that. If not there is good prize money on offer.”

The field is completed by Caroline Bailey’s Gorran Haven.

Meanwhile Greatrex confirmed that his son Tom, a promising amateur rider, will ride Boite in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday.

A useful performer on the Flat, Boite has already done well over jumps. Successful on his reappearance at Wetherby at the beginning of December, Greatrex says the jockey’s weight allowance could be invaluable.

“My son Tom will ride and claim 7lb off him. It’s a big opportunity for him and the 7lb off the horse’s back will help. It’s a good opportunity for both,” added the Lambourn trainer.