Nicky Henderson has Sandown not Haydock as starting point for Might Bite

Nicky Henderson has announced Sandown rather than Haydock will be the starting point for Might Bite this season - meaning he will not challenge for the £1million bonus on offer from the Jockey Club.

The eight-year-old won at both the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals last season, but the Seven Barrows trainer will resist the temptation to start off in the Betfair Chase, where the winner will bag the mammoth pot if subsequently adding the King George and Gold Cup.

Writing in his blog for Unibet, the champion trainer said: "Many people are keen to know where Might Bite will make his seasonal debut and I can confirm exclusively to Unibet that he will NOT run in the Betfair Chase at Haydock and instead will head to Sandown for the Listed Future Stars Intermediate Chase on November 12, which obviously rules him out of the £1million Jockey Club bonus."

He went on: "We feel this race is the slightly easier option, as we have big aims later in the season, which include the King George and ultimately the Gold Cup. He's summered very well and is in great form but I don't want him having a hard race first time out, therefore this seems the sensible option to kick off with."