Aintree: May 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 additional and the BBC Sport website More details
Might Bite leapt 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 ending up being 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 sneak peek
'As good a round of leaping as you'll see'
Might Bite, the 4-5 favourite, revealed no ill effects from the impressive battle when he completed second to Native River in last month's Gold Cup.
The nine-year-old, ridden by Nico de Boinville, only had one real challenger in grey Bristol De Mai, with Definitly Red an early faller.
Might Bite slipped up at the 4th last but quickly recuperated and was foot-perfect otherwise.
"He's a splendid animal and a delight to ride. He jumped with genuine charisma 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 insane things."
Henderson indicated the winner may object to the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November before wanting to defend his King George VI Chase title at Kempton.
L'Ami Serge (6-1) has completed second 11 times in his career, however 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 hurdle.
Earlier, 5-2 chance Finian's Oscar, trained by Colin Tizzard, won at the National conference for the second succeeding year with a late thrive to take the Big Buck's Celebration Novices' Chase.
Cornelius Lysaght, BBC horse racing correspondent
Might Bite was stunning on ground that wasn't perfect. One fluff didn't pick up a second the inevitability up the home directly that he would gather in Bristol De Mai.
It's reasonable to state that at the moment, particularly with Sprinter Sacre retired and Cue Card quickly to go, jump racing is a tiny bit short of the type of equine star that takes the sport out of the racing town and behind.
But Might Bite, with his fantastic name and outstanding skill, might quickly be the one.
Disney completes 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 2nd last, before pulling 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 special.
"Riding with Jamie Codd, just in front of you, and Derek O'Connor and Nina Carberry together with, popping away - it's fantastic."
Lilbitluso, a 10-year-old trained by John O'Shea, was put down after falling at the Canal Turn.
Ladies' Day on Friday
Day 2 of the National meeting is Ladies' Day, with a crowd of about 45,000 anticipated at the Merseyside course for what is always a colourful occasion.
On the track, Irish challengers Balko Des Flos and Min feature in the Melling Chase.
Balko Des Flos, trained by Henry de Bromhead, provided 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 want to extend his winning record over the National fences in the Topham Chase.
Waley-Cohen, who has actually won 6 races over the well-known barriers, trips Theatre Territory for fitness instructor Warren Greatrex.
Friday schedule
Live protection (All times BST)
14:00 -15:50: 5 live Racing on sports extra, with commentary of the main 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
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