Aintree: Might Bite Heads Nicky Henderson Treble At Grand National Meeting
Venue: Aintree Meeting: 12-14 April Grand National: 17:15 BST Saturday
Coverage: BBC Radio 5 live, sports extra and the BBC Sport site More details
Might Bite jumped superbly to win the Betway Bowl as trainer Nicky Henderson commemorated a treble on the opening day of Aintree's Grand National meeting.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up beat Bristol De Mai, while stablemates We Have A Dream and L'Ami Serge likewise won.
Former soldier Guy Disney made history by becoming the very first amputee jockey to ride over the National fences.
Disney was the last of 12 finishers on Gallery Exhibition as Balnaslow won the Foxhunters' Chase.
Grand National: Runners and riders
Results and racecards
Listen: 5 live Grand National preview
'As great a round of leaping as you'll see'
Might Bite, the 4-5 preferred, showed no ill results from the epic battle when he ended up second to Native River in last month's Gold Cup.
The nine-year-old, ridden by Nico de Boinville, only had one genuine challenger in grey Bristol De Mai, with Definitly Red an early faller.
Might Bite slipped up at the 4th last but soon recovered and was foot-perfect otherwise.
"He's a splendid animal and a happiness to ride. He jumped with real flair and gusto," said De Boinville.
Henderson said: "That was as excellent a round of leaping as you'll ever see. He was just on it the entire way - he was doing crazy things."
Henderson showed the winner may object to the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November before seeking to protect his King George VI Chase title at Kempton.
L'Ami Serge (6-1) has actually completed second 11 times in his profession, but made no mistake this time in the Aintree Hurdle.
He surged late under jockey Daryl Jacob to pass Supasundae.
It was a double for Jacob, and owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, after We Have A Dream (2-1) was an easy winner of the four-year-old juvenile obstacle.
Earlier, 5-2 possibility Finian's Oscar, trained by Colin Tizzard, won at the National conference for the second succeeding year with a late grow to take the Big Buck's Celebration Manifesto Novices' Chase.
Cornelius Lysaght, BBC horse racing correspondent
Might Bite was spectacular on ground that wasn't perfect. One fluff didn't pick up a second the inevitability up the home straight that he would collect in Bristol De Mai.
It's fair to say that at the moment, especially with Sprinter Sacre retired and Cue Card soon to go, leap racing is a little bit except the type of equine star that takes the sport out of the racing village and behind.
But Might Bite, with his great name and exceptional skill, could quickly be the one.
Disney finishes course as Balnaslow wins
The 2017 runner-up Balnaslow, ridden by Derek O'Connor for trainer Graham McKeever, went one better in the Foxhunters' Chase.
Balnaslow (11-2) challenged at the second last, before 2 and a half lengths clear of Bear's Affair.
Disney, who lost part of a leg in a rocket-propelled grenade attack in Afghanistan in 2009, stated after the race: "It's very unique.
"Riding with Jamie Codd, simply in front of you, and Derek O'Connor and Nina Carberry along with, popping away - it's amazing."
Lilbitluso, a 10-year-old trained by John O'Shea, was put down after falling at the Canal Turn.
Ladies' Day on Friday
Day two of the National meeting is Ladies' Day, with a crowd of about 45,000 anticipated at the Merseyside course for what is constantly a colourful celebration.
On the track, Irish oppositions Balko Des Flos and Min feature in the Melling Chase.
Balko Des Flos, trained by Henry de Bromhead, offered owner Michael O'Leary with a first victory in the Ryanair Chase - which his airline sponsors - at last month's Cheltenham Festival.
Min was 2nd for Willie Mullins in the Queen Mother Champion Chase behind winner Altior.
Amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen will look to extend his winning record over the National fences in the Topham Chase.
Waley-Cohen, who has actually won six races over the famous barriers, trips Theatre Territory for fitness instructor Warren Greatrex.
Friday schedule
Live protection (Perpetuity BST)
14:00 -15:50: 5 live Racing on sports extra, with commentary of the primary races likewise on BBC Radio 5 live.
Racecard
13:45: Alder Hey Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f
14:20: Betway Top Novices' Hurdle 2m 1/2 f
14:50: Betway Mildmay Novices' Steeple Chase 3m 1f
15:25: JLT Melling Steeple Chase 2m 4f
16:05: Randox Health Topham Steeple Chase 2m 5f
16:40: Doom Bar Sefton Novices' Hurdle 3m 1/2 f
17:15: Weatherbys Private Bank Standard Open NH Flat 2m 1f
Pinstickers' guide to the Grand National
14 April 2018
What's it like to call the Grand National?
11 April 2018
Amputee jockey Disney to ride at Aintree
4 April 2018
Grand National
