'Top-class rider' Jerry McGrath set to partner Santini in Aintree comeback

Jerry McGrath, who won Saturday's Gerry Feilden Hurdle at Newbury on Floressa, is set for a major assignment next weekend when heading to Aintree to partner Seven Barrows big guns Santini and Might Bite.

McGrath has come in for the rides on the Nicky Henderson-trained pair as Nico de Boinville will be at Sandown on Saturday to continue his association with stable star Altior in the Betfair Tingle Creek.

Owned and bred by Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes, Santini finished second to Al Boum Photo in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last season and has that as his main aim this term.

Watch Santini's Gold Cup run

He will take his first steps towards it in Aintree's William Hill Many Clouds Chase. The William Hill Grand Sefton at Aintree is the target for the enigmatic Might Bite, who ran encouragingly at Ascot last month.

Henderson said: "Santini and Might Bite both worked together on Saturday morning and are going to Aintree next weekend.

"Nico will be at Sandown, so Jerry will ride them, and after that win on Floressa you can see why. He's a top-class rider and is no reserve – he's a top man."

Jerry McGrath: will pick up the ride on the returning Santini at AintreeCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Like Santini, Might Bite has a Gold Cup second on his CV as well as a King George VI Chase.

"Santini is in good shape from what I could see in the fog this morning," added Henderson. "Everything is good, while Might Bite should enjoy the Grand National fences in the Sefton."

McGrath won a novice hurdle on Santini at Cheltenham in January 2018, but has never sat on Might Bite in a race.

The 29-year-old, who also has a sideline as a bloodstock agent, enjoyed his best campaign in 2016-17 with 43 winners and has been a mainstay of Henderson's all-powerful yard for a number of years now.

He can count Une Artiste (Fred Winter) and Beware The Bear (Ultima) as Cheltenham Festival winners.

More to read:

Santini's day out no substitute for a proper race - but nor was it meant to be

Tingle Creek tickets sell out in 17 minutes as Sandown prepares for spectators

Defi Du Seuil a Tingle Creek doubt with Hobbs still in the dark over Shloer flop

Santini could be a Grand National player in Mick Fitzgerald's Tote Ten To Follow

Might bite! Horse attempts to savage rival jockey in driving finish

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