held up, always in rear, struggling 5 out, lost touch from next, tailed off
not fluent 1st, chased leaders in 4th throughout, outpaced 5 out, well held when blundered badly 3 out, tailed off
made all, driven when hard pressed before last, ridden and kept on flat, always doing enough
tracked winner to after 3rd, chased front pair, outpaced 4 out, ridden next, no chance after
not fluent 1st, in touch, tracked winner after 3rd, driven 2 out, ridden and stayed on to challenge before last, one pace and held flat
Having fallen at the last when clear in the Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day, MIGHT BITE almost grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory again in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham. But Nico de Boinville got him back on the straight and narrow close home and he rallied to beat stablemate Whisper by a nose. Providing those antics aren’t repeated, those placings should be confirmed here and Nicky Henderson’s eight-year-old is hard to oppose. Marinero was an early casualty in the RSA but had proved consistent prior to that blemish and makes more appeal than Calett Mad, an out-and-out stayer judged on his form to date, and the returning Virgilio.
Calett Mad (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside when not fluent 9th, every chance 3 out, weakened before next, 9th of 18, 33 1/2l behind Tiger Roll (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m (1) gs in Mar.
Marinero (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, blundered badly and unseated rider 3rd, at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
Might Bite (IRE) 7-2fav (11-4) Led after 1st, jumped right 11th, drew clear before 3 out, about 12 lengths clear 2 out, mistake last, started idling and veered right 1f out, headed 120 yards out, rallied to lead post, won at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar beating Whisper (11-4) by ns, 12 ran.
Virgilio (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Last trio, reminders and struggling in 6th before 12th, left poor 2nd and slightly hampered on landing last, 2nd of 10, 12l behind Royal Vacation (11-7) at Kempton 3m (1) gd in Dec.
Whisper (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, hit 5th, headway 15th, 2nd after 3 out, about 12 lengths down when not fluent 2 out, closed on winner who started idling 1f out, led 120 yards out, headed post, 2nd of 12, shd behind Might Bite (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m (1) gs in Mar.
