I really don’t like recommending jumpers at this stage of the campaign as in so, so many instances you are only guessing as to there well being as you have no real idea as to whether or not they are ‘over the top’ after a hard season. One horse that comment doesn’t apply to though, after a somewhat truncated, I say truncated, term, is Mr Henderson’s MIGHT BITE who has his 2nd run over timber in the card commencer at Cheltenham tomorrow (2.05).
My regular readers will know how much I like this one and that I’ve put him up in both his previous races. First time up everything was going well 2 furlongs from home as the old boy was cruising – in fact the Geraghty boy was, at that point, calculating his win percentage and Mr Henderson was heard order a celebratory large GnT. However, due to the heavy ground and weakness Might Bite floundered from then on and managed only 3rd place at the line. There was no reoccurrence of this last time though, on his hurdling bow, as Might Bite put upwards of 15 lengths between him and his rival at Newbury. Looked Classy with a capital ‘C’ as well to boot.
Might Bite’s education continues tomorrow at Cheltenham and under the tutoridge of Professor Mr Henderson expect another win. The great man knows what it takes to win this heat as he won it with the subsequent dual Grade1 victor, Whisper, back in ’13 whilst the trip will hold no fears as Might Bite obliged over similar yardage last time. A couple of worthy opponents, Port Melon and Boru's Brook, both obliged last time but I don’t think either are good enough to trouble Might Bite.
Whatever happens tomorrow next season this old boy will be going over fences and I’ll tell you what I don’t think it is totally absurd to mention Might Bite, a half brother to dual Grade 1 winner, Beat That, in the same breath as the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more...
Good luck to him and you, troops.