Might Bite completes notable double at Aintree

Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase - 1450 Aintree result

1st Might Bite 8/13 favourite
2nd Whisper 9/4

Report

Might Bite again got the better of Whisper to lead home a Nicky Henderson one-two in the Betway Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree.

The pair filled the same placings in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham with the winner famously hanging badly after the last and almost reaching as standstill before rallying to reel in his stablemate.

Things were less dramatic here as he produced an efficent round of jumping from the front as his stablemate travelled strongly in the slipstream.

The runner-up switched to the inside going to the last but Might Bite took a length out of him at that obstacle and that proved enough on the drive to the line.

Sky Bet left the winner unchanged at 4/1 for next season's 32Red King George at Kempton and 10/1 for the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Reaction

Nico De Boinville (winning rider): "He was having a think about it and the boss told me to keep my stick in my right hand. Whisper has run a really good race there, he kept him honest on the run down to the last but that was great.

"I think it was Davy's (Russell, on Whisper) plan to keep closer to me this time and I could see jumping the third-last he was bang on my tail and we know what Whisper can do so well.

"But it's a great run from Might Bite again, he's showed it was no fluke. I think on his day he's a Gold Cup contender."

Nicky Henderson: "Having the first two in these races is horrible in a funny way, Whisper is another old soldier like My Tent Or Yours (second to Buveur D'Air on Thursday).

"He's won two Liverpool Hurdles and has been around a long time, but like Tent yesterday, Grade Ones are Grade Ones, there's nowhere else to go with them so they have to take each other on. They made it a good race.

"Again Might Bite's jumping was great and there were no funny antics today which was a relief after Cheltenham. Going round that stable bend twice could tempt a few horses.

"He was very good and Nico was at pains not to use the whip as that was what possibly might have caused it, who knows? They've both had a great season.

"The Hennessy might suit Whisper, although I did hear Davy talking about a National to Dai (Walters, owner) though which one I'm not sure!

"Haydock and the Betfair would seem the logical stepping stone towards the King George for Might Bite."

Dan Skelton (trainer of third Virgilio): "He tried his heart out and this horse tries so hard.

"We're so proud of this horse. He loves this track, but unfortunately he doesn't have the physical make up of the first two.

"We'll see what we do next, we will go again but we don't know quite where. We'll consider going to Auteuil with him over hurdles."