Might Bite heads RSA dozen on day two at Cheltenham

Might Bite leads into battle a three-pronged team for Nicky Henderson in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday.

The eight-year-old was in the process of producing a spectacular display in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day before suffering a heavy fall at the final fence.

Might Bite got his career back on track with a bloodless success at Doncaster last month and Henderson, who is also represented by Whisper and O O Seven, is keeping his fingers crossed his charge takes to the undulations of Prestbury Park.

The Seven Barrows handler said: "We run three in here with considerable hope. Everyone is in very good order and entitled to be here.

"The caution with Might Bite is the track. What he was doing at Kempton in the Feltham (Kauto Star Novices' Chase) was quite extraordinary and I think he has got into being favourite for this because of what he was going to achieve before he fell at the last. It was going to be mighty impressive.

"He had just gone round on his own and he was in second gear and they couldn't go with him. His jumping has been very good, but it took a lot of time to get it together early on in the year.

"I am nervous about Cheltenham, but, to be fair, I have never seen him school so well as he did Friday. He was fantastic."

Dual Grade One-winning hurdler Whisper has been a reformed character this season, winning successive races over fences at Cheltenham in the hands of Davy Russell.

O O Seven also struck at the track in November and was last seen landing a novice handicap at Huntingdon in January.

Henderson said: "He's an old horse with new tricks. This gives him a little bit more time to get into the race.

"You have got to run them where you think their best chance is.

"O O Seven is a very talented horse. We would have ran him in the handicap (Ultima) but he was going to end up with next-to-top weight and that's a lot for a novice to do."

Royal Vacation profited from Might Bite's Boxing Day exit to claim Grade One glory and while he was undoubtedly fortunate, he backed up that performance at Cheltenham in January.

Owner Jean Bishop said: "Aidan Coleman rode him a little while back at Ascot when he came third and was pleased with him and the way he jumped. Paddy (Brennan) speaks well of him as well.

"He is going there to take his chance. He won his last race very well and hopefully he can do it again."

The Irish challenge is headed by the Mouse Morris-trained Alpha Des Obeaux, who was a clear second behind Thistlecrack in last year's Stayers' Hurdle.

The seven-year-old has won twice over fences and ran creditably at the highest level in the Drinmore Novice Chase.

Alpha Des Obeaux blotted his copybook when he was pulled up at Leopardstown over Christmas, but he was later found to have burst a blood vessel.

Morris said: "I think he's as good as we can have him. He seems very well and has travelled over well.

"He's never bled before and has never done it since, so fingers crossed it was a one-off.

"He's got to step up to the plate now."

Another leading contender from Ireland is Acapella Bourgeois, who galloped and jumped his rivals into submission on his latest appearance at Navan.

Trainer Sandra Hughes said: "He's fine and we're happy with the ground. There's plenty of juice in it and I'd say it's more soft than good at this stage.

"He's travelled over well. He seems 100 per cent and we're just hoping for a good run."

Henry de Bromhead saddles Marinero and Heron Heights, while the Willie Mullins-trained Bellshill completes the raiding party.

Aurillac, Our Kaempfer and Briery Belle make up the 12-strong field.