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Anticipation over Might Bite lifts King George excitement levels to fever pitch

Might Bite (left) keeps Whisper at arm's length at Aintree in April
Might Bite (left) keeps Whisper at arm's length at Aintree in AprilCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Jumps fans have been looking forward to seeing him more than they have Father Christmas this week – no chaser generates quite so much excited and anticipation as Might Bite.

That's partly because he's just so good, a spectacular jumper with an astonishingly high cruising speed who would have destroyed his field in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase here last Christmas had he not fallen at the last.

He went on to confirm himself a potential champion by achieving a Grade 1 double at Cheltenham and Aintree in the spring.

But his appearances are also eagerly awaited because you never quite know what to expect from a chaser with a definite quirk, as anyone who backed him for the RSA Chase and watched him do his best to throw victory away by veering badly right on the run-in will recall.

Yet there was no sign of those tendencies as Might Bite reappeared in an intermediate chase at Sandown last month, scoring comfortably without being asked too tough a question in a race reckoned to have set him up perfectly for this test.

"We were very happy with him at Sandown, it was a nice place to go for a preparation. He didn't have to have a dust up in the Betfair and he's in good shape," said trainer Nicky Henderson, who is looking forward to bringing the horse back to Kempton.

"The performance he was putting up here last year was extraordinary and it suggested he quite likes Kempton.

"But it would be a worry if they got a lot of rain, I've always said he's a good horse on good ground – he goes on soft ground but others like Bristol De Mai probably go on it better."

There are no ground worries for stablemate Whisper, who chased home Might Bite at Cheltenham and Aintree and who earned his place in the line-up with a fine effort in the Ladbrokes Trophy – formerly the Hennessy – at Newbury, where he failed by just a neck to defy a 4lb penalty for success here.

That Newbury effort earned the dual Grade 1-winning hurdler a BHA chase rating of 169, and Henderson said: "The handicapper has forced him into a race like this so we'll give it a go.

"He's in very good form and it was a very good performance at Newbury. The rain won't hinder him."

Might Bite
Pros Has looked a huge King George contender ever since his performance in novice company here last year and has put up a series of top-class efforts since
Cons Would not be so effective were rain to make the ground very testing

Whisper
Pros Put up a high-class effort when narrowly beaten under 11st 8lb in the Ladbrokes Trophy
Cons Beaten in both clashes with Might Bite last season, even when that rival swerved badly right on the run-in at Cheltenham

Onwards and upwards or slippery slope? The question facing Bristol De Mai in the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day
Onwards and upwards or slippery slope? The question facing Bristol De Mai in the King George VI ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Next question for Bristol in bid for millionaire status

The equine equivalent of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? reaches the 50/50 stage for Bristol De Mai after he made short work of the opening question in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month.

That left punters guessing whether he can answer the next tougher question, but if the Ask The (Audience) Handicapper lifeline is to be believed he will finish the year one step away from matching the only previous winner of the Jockey Club's £1 million triple crown bonus, Kauto Star.

Bristol De Mai has looked a more definite contender for top honours this season after opening with a game defeat of his stablemate and subsequent Becher Chase winner Blaklion, giving him 6lb in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby.

The Betfair Chase was more awe-inspiring as he made light of heavy ground to leave 2015 King George winner Cue Card floundering, resulting in Racing Post Ratings and the BHA handicapper raising him ahead of his Kempton rivals.

His BHA rating of 173 puts him 3lb higher than last year's reopposing winner Thistlecrack and 11lb ahead of favourite Might Bite.

Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies said: "He's the top-rated horse in the race and has got to go out and prove it.

"He's only six and a big-framed horse who's hopefully getting better. He's in very good form, appearing better than ever, so it will be interesting to see what happens."

Detractors point to Bristol De Mai having similarly run away with a Haydock chase at the start of the year before coming up short against Native River in the Denman and then in the Gold Cup.

A heavy defeat at the hands of reopposing Tea For Two followed his Cheltenham eclipse in the Bowl at Aintree, but that winner was left well behind in the Betfair Chase last month.

Twiston-Davies, asked whether the lack of 'Haydock heavy' ground was a concern, said: "I've no worries if it's good ground," adding: "I'll leave the tactics up to Daryl [Jacob] but I'm sure he'll be very handy."

Pros Has beaten everything put in front of him this season, impressing the handicapper, and is still only six
Cons Has come up short in championship races after a previous Haydock romp at the start of the season

Thistlecrack thriving ahead of defence and Fox Norton ready to step up

What a difference a year makes. This race was all about team Tizzard 12 months ago, with Thistlecrack leading home stablemate Cue Card.

The defending champion is back accompanied by another solid Tizzard-trained Grade 1 performer in Fox Norton, yet they find themselves languishing behind the front two in the betting.

It is easy to forget just what a meteoric rise Thistlecrack enjoyed last year, culminating in a King George triumph that extended his winning sequence to nine, four of which were over fences.

Thistlecrack came late to chasing at the age of eight and connections consequently eschewed the traditional novice route to set their stall out for the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup.

King George success made him hot favourite for the festival showstopper, only for a tendon injury to bring a jolting end to that after his epic confrontation with Many Clouds there in January.

His return in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last month, when fifth of six and beaten 13 lengths, divided opinion, but Colin Tizzard is adamant we will see a different Thistlecrack here.

Just a reminder how far Thistlecrack won last year's King George
Just a reminder by how far Thistlecrack won last year's King GeorgeCredit: Mark Cranham

"He looks a different horse after Newbury,” he said. “There will be no excuses this time, but it was a race against time for Newbury after his injury.

“Yes, he had been in since August, but he was never going to start racing until December and we were catching up. The Newbury race has put him back into shape.”

Fox Norton takes advantage of Sizing John – also owned by the late Ann and Alan Potts – staying at home, and Tizzard is looking forward to the seven-year-old stepping into the unknown in what is certain to be a strongly run contest.

"He's got a major chance," said Tizzard. "A lot of good horses in the past have gone up to this trip and achieved exactly what we are trying to do.

"It looks in his races as if he will stay the trip. We don't know if that is the case, and there hasn't been an easy King George yet, but if Bristol De Mai and Might Bite take each other on it will be ideal for both of ours, who can sit in a bit."

Thistlecrack
Pros Been there and done it with an impressive win in the race last year
Cons Lack of match practice after his tendon injury and a weak finishing effort over hurdles on comeback

Fox Norton
Pros Has the Grade 1 form in the book
Cons Is stepping into the unknown having never raced farther than when winning over two and a half miles last season

Kelly hoping Tea For Two can serve up another Boxing Day treat

Lizzie Kelly became the first woman to ride a Grade 1 jumps winner over obstacles in Britain or Ireland when landing the Kauto Star Novices' Chase on Tea For Two here in 2015 and the combination have another crack at the main prize.

They were beaten just over three lengths when fourth behind Thistlecrack 12 months ago and confirmed they are worth a place in this company by landing the Bowl at Aintree last spring.

Tea For Two finished a tired fourth behind Bristol De Mai in the Betfair Chase at Haydock last month but better is expected here.

"I've been pleased with him at home," said Kelly. "I think we go with a pretty live chance.

"I know he's a pretty big price, but he always is. Some of his best form is at Kempton. We're up against front-page horses but he's won there before and there's no reason he can't win again.

"He's always overlooked. From our perspective, we're just really pleased to have a Grade 1 horse, and I'm delighted to be able to ride in races like this."

Shuffle in the pack

Double Shuffle won over the King George course and distance at this meeting last year but that was on the second day of the fixture and came in a 0-145 handicap chase.

He ran another good race over the three-mile course here when a close second in the BetBright Handicap Chase last February, and shaped as though he would benefit from stepping back up in trip when chasing Top Notch home in a Grade 2 over 2m5f at Ascot last month.

"He's A1," said trainer Tom George. "The positives are that he likes the track and is in good form.

"He faces an impossible task on ratings but if some of them under-perform he could be there to pick up the pieces."

Fluide has 'outside chance'

Those sentiments are shared by trainer Gary Moore as he takes on Bristol De Mai again with Betfair Chase fifth Traffic Fluide.

"He never got into the race at Haydock and we've put a visor on to help him concentrate," said Moore.

"We thought he'd go on the soft ground but he didn't. We're making excuses, but I hope they're valid excuses.

"We're well aware it's a tough ask but if he puts his best foot forward he'd have an outside chance."


Look back on the best jumps action of the year in the new edition of the Racing Post Annual. Order now at racingpost.com/shop or call 01933 304858


David CarrReporter

Published on 25 December 2017inPreviews

Last updated 11:05, 26 December 2017

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