CHELTENHAM, England – The antics that nearly cost Might Bite a win in the Grade 1 RSA Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham Racecourse last year have been largely absent during the current steeplechase season in England. Might Bite led over the last fence in the RSA Novices’ Chase and veered dramatically toward the grandstand in the final furlong. He was passed by a rival and then rallied from more than a length behind to win the three-mile race by a nose. Fortunately for his backers, he has been better behaved this season, and the 9-year-old gelding is the mid-week favorite for Friday’s Grade 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup. The Grand National at Aintree, on April 14, may be a more famous race than the Gold Cup, but that race is a handicap that draws horses that for the most part would not be competitive under the weight-for-age conditions of the $872,312 Gold Cup, which is run at 3 5/16 miles. Might Bite has won two three-mile races this year – a restricted stakes at Sandown Park on Nov. 12 and the Grade 1 King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Dec. 26. In the King George, Might Bite did not behave perfectly. He idled two fences from the finish, but not as dramatically as he did in the RSA Novices’ Chase. Might Bite won the King George by a length over Double Shuffle, who is in Friday’s Gold Cup field. The Gold Cup will be the longest race for Might Bite, who has won 9 of 14 starts. Trainer Nicky Henderson said in a press conference last month that Might Bite’s effort in the RSA Chase is proof he can get the distance of the Gold Cup. “The fact he was able to essentially come to a complete standstill in the RSA and then get going means he must stay pretty well, as that is an extraordinary thing to do,” Henderson said. “He idled in the King George, but he definitely stayed and he did go very quick that day.” The condition of the turf on Friday may be a greater concern to Henderson than the distance. Henderson thinks Might Bite does not want too soft of a turf course, and the course could be rated soft or even heavy Friday. Might Bite is part of a field of 18 that includes Native River and Our Duke. The deteriorating ground may suit Native River, an 8-year-old gelding who was third in the 2017 Gold Cup. Native River won his only start of the current season, the Grade 2 Denman Chase against two rivals at 2 15/16 miles at Newbury on Feb. 10. Our Duke won the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase at 2 1/2 miles at Gowran Park on Feb. 17. Our Duke, an 8-year-old gelding, is trained by Jessica Harrington, who won the 2017 Gold Cup with Sizing John. Last week, Sizing John was taken out of consideration for Friday’s race because of a pelvis injury.