Might Bite wins King George to strengthen his Cheltenham Gold Cup claims
The eight-year-old exorcised his Kempton demons 12 months on from a final-fence disaster in the Novices' Chase
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Might Bite advanced his Cheltenham Gold Cup claims when laying to rest his Kempton demons with victory in the 32Red King George VI Chase.
After suffering a final-fence fall in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at the track 12 months ago, the eight-year-old gained deserved compensation to complete a Grade One double for trainer Nicky Henderson, who had earlier won the Christmas Hurdle with Buveur D'Air.
Close to the pace throughout, Might Bite (6-4 favourite) hit the front rounding the home turn before digging deep after the last to hold off the challenge of Double Shuffle by a length, with Tea For Two a further two lengths adrift in third.
Henderson said: "He is good to watch. You could enjoy watching horses like him all day and night.
"He loves all the showmanship that goes with it and he likes to jump like that and boss it and say, 'Look at me'. The nice thing was that he handled the ground.
"We have our little scheme which is try not to press before the last. Don't let him know that is the last then you can go for your life after it.
"They (owners, the Knot Again Partnership) are a real fun team of mates. It is very special for us to get a horse like this and they deserve it."
All roads for Might Bite now lead towards the Cheltenham Gold Cup, for which he was cut from 6-1 into 5-1 by Coral.
Henderson added: "The next question is what we do next. We will probably have another run.
"It won't be a slog in a bog, wherever it is. If it froze up until March 16 that wouldn't bother me
"Now we have got to behave ourselves at Cheltenham. Cheltenham is a different ball game and he will probably want to go right."
Winning jockey Nico de Boinville was full of praise for Might Bite after he cast aside his rider's concerns over the ground.
He said: "He jumped the last as if he had plenty left and I think he was just idling slightly, if something had come at him I think he'd have gone again.
"He's a delightful horse. I was a bit worried about the ground, having ridden on it earlier, but this was great."
Tom George hailed the efforts of runner-up Double Shuffle, who outran his 50-1 price-tag.
George said: "Three miles on this track probably suits him best and better ground would help him as well.
"I've not even thought about Cheltenham."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments