Might Bite to take on the banks as Henderson eyes cross-country tilt

Nicky Henderson is looking forward to opening a new chapter in the tale of the talented but increasingly enigmatic Might Bite at Cheltenham next month, when the 11-year-old will attempt to deny Tiger Roll a hat-trick of wins in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase.

Might Bite's third at Newbury on Saturday was his first placed effort since winning the Bowl at Aintree nearly two years ago, just weeks after his epic second to Native River in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the same season as he won the King George.

More often than not he has failed to complete the course, but Saturday's run behind his old rival Native River in the Denman Chase – a race that was not on his agenda until the initial entry suggested a weak field – showed the spark was still there, even if the form was a long way from his best.

Watch Might Bite's run in the Denman Chase here

The stable has few runners in cross-country chases, but Henderson said he had had it in mind for Might Bite for some time, although he had not revealed it publicly. His odds range from 8-1 to 14-1, with Tiger Roll a best-priced 13-8 favourite.

Henderson, who hopes to have two runners in the race, said: "We'd been messing about with Might Bite for a fortnight or so before Newbury with the cross-country in mind.

"I haven't been training him, and in fact I've hardly seen him. Dave Fehily, who looks after him and rides him, has been taking him out every day on his own over all sorts of obstacles we have about the place."

Valtor: could join Might Bite in Cheltenham's Cross-Country ChaseCredit: Alan Crowhurst

He added: "We have been thinking about the cross-country for Valtor too and he thought they [the obstacles] were extremely suspicious, but Might Bite went winging around the place, jumping telegraph poles, tyres, in-and-outs and all sorts of things and absolutely loved it.

"There has been a lot of talk about retirement, but he ran a much better race at Newbury and anybody who saw him enjoy himself there can hardly say he wants retiring now."

Cheltenham clerk of the course Simon Claisse is looking forward to welcoming Might Bite back to the festival in a new discipline.

"It will be absolutely wonderful to see Might Bite in the cross-country," he said. "The switch can often rekindle a horse's enthusiasm for the game and it will be terrific to have him."

He added: "It's a stipulation that horses must school over the sort of obstacles we have here before they race over them, and although it doesn't have to be at Cheltenham, most of them choose to come here anyway.

"We don't have specific days set aside for it and they are at liberty to come whenever it suits. We'll be here to welcome them whenever they want."

Henderson hopes to take Valtor to Cheltenham later this week, then both Might Bite and Valtor again the week after.

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