Rematch time: the lowdown as Might Bite and Native River clash in Betfair Chase

3.00 Haydock
Betfair Chase (Grade 1) | 3m1½f, 5yo+ | ITV/RUK

The Might Bite team resisted the Betfair Chase 12 months ago but the lure of a £1 million carrot dangled by the Jockey Club has proved too strong this time.

A year older at nine going on ten and with his eccentricities looking a thing of the past, Might Bite takes in the first leg of the Chase Triple Crown and the move sets up a tantalising rematch with his Cheltenham Gold Cup conqueror Native River.

Last season's King George winner could not match the stamina reserves of Native River in an epic duel up the Cheltenham hill on attritional ground, but the flatter track and sounder surface offer hope the classy chaser can gain his revenge.

Relive the epic duel at Cheltenham between Might Bite and Native River

Nicky Henderson, seeking a first success in the Betfair Chase, has been in ebullient mood in the build-up, comparing Might Bite to the legendary Sprinter Sacre.

He has also been shaping up well against some current incumbents at Seven Barrows, as the trainer said: "He has been working extremely well and out of him, Altior and Buveur D'Air, he has been the easiest to get fit. He hasn't had an away day, but he's been in very good shape. He looks really, really good.

"He faces Native River again, but this time around, it's a different ball game. It's a different race on a different track on different ground. It's great for racing to have a showdown like this – it's going to be a proper race."

Regular rider Nico de Boinville has overcome a thumb injury in the nick of time to renew a partnership that has yielded four Grade 1 chase victories, most recently when beating Bristol De Mai and Clan Des Obeaux with consummate ease in the Betway Bowl at Aintree in April.

Pros His best performances have come on better ground at flat tracks and he might have too much speed for his rivals

Cons Officially rated 4lb lower than Native River and needs to turn around the form of the Gold Cup

Native River out to assert his dominance again

Native River is exactly where connections want him to be as he aims to uphold the Cheltenham Gold Cup form on his return to action.

Off the track since claiming the festival showpiece in stirring fashion from Might Bite, Native River has enjoyed a perfect preparation as he starts out on the road back to Prestbury Park in March.

"He's been in lovely form at home and had an away day with a canter at Exeter," said Joe Tizzard, son and assistant trainer to Colin. "We haven't missed a day with him and he's fit enough to go there and run a massive race."

Despite his Cheltenham heroics, Native River has been overlooked in the market somewhat with conditions expected to be more suitable for clear favourite Might Bite.

"I've seen the betting and they obviously think the better ground and the track will play to Might Bite's strengths," said Tizzard. "We've got massive respect for him but we're looking forward to taking him on again.

"Our horse has operated on this type of ground in the past round tracks likes Aintree and Newbury, which is very similar in my opinion, so we're not worried about it."

The Tizzard team are also happy with the physical shape of Thistlecrack, who makes his first start since finishing fourth in last year's King George.

Winner of the 2016 King George, the former staying hurdle champion has had his career interrupted by injury but is showing the right attributes in his work.

"We were always fighting a physical battle with him last year but he was in virtually ready to run towards the end of last season and we've had a very good preparation with him," said Tizzard.

"He's showing signs of his old self at home and hopefully he will do the same on the racecourse. The conditions will be lovely for him, he's got some good form on this ground and I'm sure the track will suit him."

Native River pros A brilliant jumper and tough stayer who sets the standard on his Gold Cup victory

Native River cons Stamina is his forte and the combination of the easier track and sounder surface might not play to his strengths

Thistlecrack pros A match for his rivals if returning to the devastating form he showed before injury intervened

Thistlecrack cons Been off the track for 333 days and this looks an extremely tough place to make his comeback

Bristol back to defend crown

Bristol De Mai's record at Haydock is quite remarkable. Three victories in three starts, achieved by 57 lengths, 32 lengths and 22 lengths. The widest margin of those came in last year's race when he put daylight between himself and Cue Card, a three-time Betfair Chase winner no less.

Bristol De Mai won last year's Betfair Chase by 57 lengthsCredit: John Grossick

His liking for the track is unquestionable but one crucial element is missing – rain. Those wins came on soft or heavy ground but the race looks set to be run with good ground in the going description for the first time since 2011. As the forecast has improved Bristol De Mai's price has inflated – he was ante-post favourite but is now around the 7-1 mark – but Nigel Twiston-Davies believes the grey will handle conditions.

"He handles soft and heavy better than most but he's run okay on good ground before so hopefully he'll be alright," the trainer said. "He's as fit as you can get him at home and we're very happy with him."

The ground at Haydock dried out to good, good to soft in places on Friday and Twiston-Davies said he plans to walk the course on Saturday morning to check the surface is suitable.

"Hopefully a bit of rain will get there, but if the ground gets any firmer his run would be in doubt," he said. "As long as it's the soft side of good, he'll be alright."

Pros Produced a sensational performance to win the race last year and unbeaten in three runs at Haydock

Cons Prefers softer ground and was put in his place by Might Bite twice last season

Nicholls targets surprise with Clan

Paul Nicholls assumes the role of underdog in a race he has won more times than any other trainer as he eyes an upset with the unexposed Clan Des Obeaux.

The youngest contender in the field at the age of six, Clan Des Obeaux needs to step up markedly to shake up Cheltenham Gold Cup principals Native River and Might Bite but showed glimpses of his potential when rounding off an interrupted campaign with a promising third in the Betway Bowl.

Clan Des Obeaux set to be the outsider of a classy field of fiveCredit: Alan Crowhurst

That was a career-best on his first try beyond three miles for a horse part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and he won the graduation chase on this card 12 months ago on his only previous visit to Haydock.

Nicholls, a Betfair Chase winner on six occasions including four times with Kauto Star, said: "He's in good form, though he does have it all to do in this race. He's an improving young horse – he's at the same stage of his career as Kauto Star was when he won his first Betfair Chase – and we can't wait to run him."

Pros Relished the step up to three miles at Aintree and could develop into a top chaser this season

Cons Has plenty to find on previous form in a race bursting with quality

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