Bite, Mai & Thistlecrack among eight in King George Might Bite will face seven rivals, including last year's winner Thistlecrack, in the 32Red King George VI Chase at Kempton on St Stephen's Day. Nicky Henderson's Might Bite burst on to the scene a year ago when he was set for victory in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase over the King George course and distance only to take a crashing fall at the last. Might Bite bounced back with a remarkable Cheltenham Festival victory in the RSA Chase, virtually pulling himself up when well in control to hand the initiative to stablemate Whisper, only for Might Bite to regain momentum and win by the narrowest of margins. Whisper again faces his old rival, having also chased him home at Aintree. He has continued his progression this season by hauling a huge weight into second in the Ladbrokes Trophy. Thistlecrack has only raced twice since his victory 12 months ago and has been beaten both times, when a narrow second to the ill-fated Many Clouds at Cheltenham and on his return over hurdles at Newbury. Trainer Colin Tizzard also runs Fox Norton, a multiple Grade One winner over shorter trips who tries three miles for the first time. Bristol De Mai is the main market rival to Might Bite following his demolition job in the Betfair Chase at Haydock. Tom George runs Double Shuffle, Tea For Two is back again for Nick Williams, while Traffic Fluide represents Gary Moore.
