Grand National Festival 2018 – Don’t miss Unibet ambassador Nico de Boinville’s latest column as he talks through his Aintree rides on Friday

“Read the thoughts of four-time Champion Trainer Nicky Henderson and stable jockey Nico de Boinville exclusively at Unibet each week throughout the Jump Season. Unibet are an award-winning sports betting and casino operator with over 16 million customers, and proud sponsors of the Unibet Champion Hurdle, The Irish Gold Cup and betting partner of the Investec Derby.”

MIGHT BITE put up another mighty performance to win the Betway Bowl yesterday.

To do that after the hard race he had at Cheltenham was a top effort and credit has to go to the guv’nor and the staff back home at Seven Barrows.

The horse was full of the joys of spring and jumped with real enthusiasm.

Good horses like him make the job easy for us jockeys.

I am very lucky to be the man in the saddle — I am sure every other jockey in the land wished they could ride him.

He’s right up there, he’s got a real touch of class.

When I watched We Have A Dream win I thought, oh no, you will need a fresh horse on that ground out there but Might Bite has a real spark to him.

He’s up there with the best horses I’ve ridden. He’s a magnificent animal to ride. He finds the stride for you.

I guess we love him so much because he has tested us. He has had his quirks but now he is just the ultimate chaser.

Might Bite’s win has made up for the fact the boss withdrew Gold Present from tomorrow’s National. Conditions are just too soft so he will go to Ayr next week for the Scottish National.

Santini (4.40) is the pick of them in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle.

He went very well when third in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham on Gold Cup day. We were a bit further back than I ideally wanted to be but the ground was pretty horrendous at that stage. It probably didn’t matter too much.

He came home well and I’d say I’ll ride him a bit handier this time. The ground is better and the flatter track will help him.

He’s a big horse – he’s still got a load of filling out to do. He’ll be better next year and I’m really excited about him. I love riding novice chasers and that’s what he’ll be doing next season.

Cyrius Moriviere (1.45) has bounced back to form over hurdles. I’m not sure he had the right character for fences – he certainly seems to be enjoying it more hurdling.

He felt great when I rode him to be second over 2m at Ludlow the other day.

That’s a right-hand track and he does go a bit left. This track is definitely the right way round for him.

This will be his first run at 2m4f over hurdles and I’d say it’s what he wants and he’s got form on soft ground.

It’s a nice spare to pick up and I’m hopeful of a good run. If he finished in the first six I’d be happy.

Style De Garde (2.20) has been very good for us this year.

He came with a good late run to finish second to Veneer Of Charm in the Fred Winter.

That was a handicap and this is a Grade 1 against older horses but he gets the weight allowance and I think this is the right race for him rather than going for the juvenile hurdle.

He loves this ground and he shouldn’t be far away.

I’m on MISTER FISHER (5.15) in the bumper. He is well-named as he is by Jeremy (remember the Beatrix Potter frog) — so he should love splashing through soft ground.

He is still quite green but he’s got the raw, natural talent.

He shows us a lot on the gallops and at 11-2 the bookies are not taking any chances.