Team Tizzard licking their lips ahead of powerhouse clash with Might Bite in Saturday’s Betfair Chase at Haydock

JOE TIZZARD is not afraid to tackle Might Bite again on decent ground with Native River as the pair prepare to lock horns.

They fought out an epic finish to last season’s Gold Cup with Native River staying on strongest on the testing Cheltenham ground.

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Conditions are likely to be much different when they clash in Saturday’s Betfair Chase at Haydock. The sponsors make last year’s King George hero Might Bite their 10-11 favourite with Native River second best at 100-30.

Tizzard, assistant trainer to his dad Colin, said: “Native River and Might Bite had a fair old dual in the Gold Cup – hopefully they’ll do it lots of times again.

“It was good to watch and I’m glad we came out on top.

“I’m not afraid of him that’s for certain. We’ve got massive respect for him but we’re not going to hide away.

“They think Native River’s ground dependent and he’s not.”

Native River is likely to be joined in the Haydock contest – the first leg of the Jockey Club’s £1million Triple Crown – by stablemate Thistlecrack.

The 2016 King George winner has been off the track since last Christmas when fourth behind Might Bite in the Kempton thriller.

Tizzard warned punters not to underestimate the 10-year-old.

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He explained: “We were always fighting a battle with Thistlecrack physically last year. We thought he ran a really good race in the King George and we were really starting to think he was coming back.

“He was sore coming out of it and he had a stress fracture of his hind leg.

“He was ready to run three weeks ago – we were just waiting for the ground to come right.

“Obviously the question is are we ever going to get him back to the horse of old?

“At home we think he’s virtually there. He’s working particularly well.”