Might Bite goes as the frontrunner in the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2018 market at the Festival. He is carrying tremendous form and looks to follow up his Cheltenham success in the RSA Chase here last year when he edged out Whisper by a nose in one of the Festival’s highlights. He has gone from strength to strength twice then, ending last season with another win, this time by two lengths, over Whisper at the Betway Midway Novices Chase in April. Might Bite is the 3/1 favourite at Bet365 for the 2018 Gold Cup* (betting odds taken March 13th, 2018 at 4:38 p.m.).
On his first trip this season he came out and landed an easy win over Frodon. Then he delivered another win at Kempton in December at the King George VI Chase where he looked to be pretty well in control around three out in the race, taking the win over Double Shuffle (as the 6/4 favourite) by a length. It’s hard not to get excited by his prospects in this one, especially as a previous RSA winner. He is liable to pull out the odd quirk in his racing but overall has settled down very well in the last twelve months.
This will be the first time that he has hit this distance before, so that is a factor. Perhaps the biggest question mark about his chances at Cheltenham on Friday, is whether or not he will get himself up the hill well enough? Especially if the ground is a little softer because he prefers things a little bit drier, so will he have the staying power? The quality around him is high as well so he is going to have to be kept under control and in focus.
The main challenges to his favouritism will be Native River who will be heading to the Cheltenham Festival fresh and full of potential. He had a really busy season ahead of last year’s Cheltenham Festival but has been kept fresh for his challenge this time around. The Irish National winner has been trading well in the market but a couple of mistakes in races, such as in the Irish Gold Cup will leave punters a little wary about him.
So can Might Bite pull it all together on the day and take down his challengers? Sure he does have that air of going a little haywire, like when he nearly threw away the RSA unchallenged last year. But the thing about him is that he has power and he has plenty of extra gears that he calls upon, which could well be needed as he gets up the hill over the longer trip. If the brings everything to the table on the day, then he will be the one to beat.
Cheltenham Gold Cup 2018 Winner Odds*
Might Bite 3/1, Native River 4/1, Our Duke 13/2, Killultagh Vic 9/1, Road To Respect 9/1, Definitly Red 12/1, Total Recall 16/1, Edwulf 16/1, Minella Rocco 20/1, bar 25/1* (betting odds taken March 13th, 2018 at 4:38 p.m.)
