Might Bite enjoys himself in the snow as cold snap can't stop Henderson team

Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows yard was a winter wonderland on Tuesday morning, but at the forefront of the champion trainer's mind was getting a Christmas number one with Might Bite, the sponsor's 6-4 favourite for the 32Red King George at Kempton on December 26.

A dusting of snow and temperatures hitting -9C meant the Seven Barrows training schedule had to be revised so Might Bite – last season's RSA Novices' Chase and Mildmay Novices' Chase winner – led the string in a gentle canter on the Alps-like slopes on the outskirts of a chilly Lambourn.

Might Bite pictured at Seven Barrows on MondayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Of his preparation for Kempton, Henderson said: "We've had to improvise this morning, which sort of sets us back a little bit. We've found a way of combating the elements for the day, which as you can appreciate when conditions are like this is quite difficult.

"But that was good and he's enjoyed himself. We've got to try to find a way of doing a bit more tomorrow and then he'll work at the weekend."

No regrets

There is a £1 million bonus for any horse who wins the Betfair Chase, King George and Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup in the same season, but Might Bite ducked the first leg and instead made a winning reappearance at Sandown last month.

"I sure don't regret not going to Haydock," said Henderson. "And I suspect Jessie [Harrington] is going to be saying the same about Sizing John. We could've gone to Haydock and put ourselves in line for a £1m bonus and it was a thought – of course it was – but it wasn't the right road for me for this horse; he wants treating a little bit with kid gloves.

"We found him a nice race. He did what he had to do and did it well. And he was tucked up in bed while they were having slog at Haydock.

"Only one horse relished the Betfair Chase and that was Bristol De Mai, who was very impressive and loves soft ground. A lot of the others couldn't cope with it and I wouldn't have wanted Might Bite in it either.

"You're never going to be confident about the King George, we've got to get there and we've got work to do. A lot of things happen and we don't need the weather we've got today. It's just interfering and it doesn't help.

"It takes the routine out of its flow – and that's why we had to do what we've done there – but he's a pretty clean-winded horse."

Look back on a sizzling year of racing in the new edition of the Racing Post Annual, which has 208 colour pages packed with the best stories and pictures of 2017. Order now at racingpost.com/shop or call 01933 304858