Might Bite eases to Doncaster win

The 99-length winning margin atoned for the horse’s horrific last fence fall in the Grade One Kauto Star Novices Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Reaction to the win was mixed – Leeds-based bookmaker William Hill trimmed the horse’s odds to 9-2 second favourite for next month’s RSA Chase, behind the Willie Mullins-trained Irish contender Bellshill, while other betting firms lengthened their prices.

Even though Might Bite never had to extend himself in the three-mile Enterprises Online Ltd Novices’ Chase, this three-runner race was not without mishap.

Early pacesetter Gorran Haven blundered badly at the second, leaving de Boinville’s mount in the lead, and Ma Da Fou was already losing ground when coming to grief at the sixth last fence.

Trainer Warren Greatrex later confirmed that the horse’s injuries were fatal.

“I enjoyed that, it was lovely and we just need him to get his confidence back,” said the winning jockey, who was completing a double after novice hurdler Creep Desbois’s earlier win on Town Moor.

“I think he is the sort of horse who will be better in a better race.

“You can be more aggressive on him and his jumping comes to hand the stronger he goes.

“He’s got an awful lot of potential and is going the right way. We just need to keep his jumping low and flat.”

Now two from two over fences at Doncaster, Might Bite’s trainer Nicky Henderson said he was content with the confidence-boosting performance.

He told The Yorkshire Post that restoring the horse’s confidence was the number one objective.

“That was just what we wanted to see him do. It didn’t look as if the fall has had a lasting effect, anyway,” said a relieved Henderson.

“His jumping looked good. We’ve not really learned anything about him, but it was good for his confidence.”

Bookmakers 32Red were not impressed, however, and pushed him out to 11-2 from 9-2 for the RSA.

But William Hill spokesman Jon Ivan-Duke disagreed. “Might Bite would have won at Kempton at Christmas time, but fell at the last with the race at his mercy,” he said.

“This time he got his jumping together and there will be some who now think he should be RSA favourite instead of Bellshill.”

An intriguing afternoon saw one Yorkshire-trained winner courtesy of Episode’s success in the finale for Catterick trainer Phil Kirby and recent riding recruit Tommy Dowson.

Meanwhile there was a heartwarming win aboard Bandon Roc at Huntingdon for amateur rider Henry Morshead, whose grandfather, Peter Beaumont, trained the former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Jodami at his Brandsby stables.

Bandon Roc, trained by Kim Bailey, was following up on his wide-margin success at Taunton last Sunday and Morshead could not contain his delight after this three-mile-one-furlong handicap hurdle.

“That was my first one over obstacles. It felt brilliant,” said the 19-year-old. “I’m getting on well at Kim Bailey’s. It is a good yard to work with and I’m grateful for the opportunities.”

He added of the 11-10 favourite: “He is a nice horse. When they came to him he picked up and went again. He pinged the last two and I’ve not had to get too serious with him. He relished the three-mile-plus trip, which was his first time over it.”