Demon All Set For Arkle

Racing Demon will have to contend with good ground as he bids to underline his claims for the top novice title in the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy.

The six-year-old has been pulled out of a couple of intended engagements this season as trainer Henrietta Knight was concerned about conditions being too quick.

However, despite the going at Cheltenham currently being described as good, Knight fully intends to run her stable star.

'The ground is in good enough nick, just on the slow side of good,' she said. 'We would have liked a bit more cut but you can't change the weather and there's no question of him not running.

'Everything has gone well since his last run, there have been no problems, but it is a very competitive race this year.'

Racing Demon will be returning to Prestbury Park for the first time since finishing second in last year's Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle.

Knight's charge lost some valuable ground when jumping to the right in that contest and he showed a little of the same trait when winning at Exeter last time ? although that does not worry his trainer.

'I know everyone has made a lot of his jumping (to the) right but he's a very sensible horse and I hope he remembers running here last year,' she explained.

Racing Demon faces some high-class rivals in what looks a vintage renewal of the two-mile race and Knight is under no illusions about having an easy ride.

'I think both the Irish horses (Missed That and Accordion Etoile) look very good ? I do love Accordion Etoile and I have always followed him and put him in my Ten To Follow.

'The French horse (Foreman) must be respected too, as must Voy Por Ustedes and Monet's Garden, if the ground is right for him.

'It looks a very exciting race and I will pleased as long as he runs a good race and comes home in one piece.

'We know our horse will be better next year over further.'

Sam Thomas takes over on Racing Demon tomorrow as regular partner Timmy Murphy has been claimed to ride Don't Be Shy for retained owner David Johnson.

The five-year-old was an expensive recruit from France and will be bidding to maintain Johnson and trainer Martin Pipe's admirable record in the race, having won the last two renewals with Well Chief in 2004 and Contraband 12 months ago.

'He's improved with every run but he hasn't been in a race this competitive before,' Murphy told At The Races.

'He's not very big but he's tough and he's a trier.

'It seems to be a very lucky race for the boss and for Mr Johnson so hopefully it will be very lucky again.'

Accordion Etoile and Missed That are prominent in the market, with the latter already being a dual Grade One winner.

Trainer Willie Mullins said: 'The ground is probably a bit quicker than most of us thought it would be but it should be great for Missed That.

'He took the trip over well and I was really pleased with him when he cantered with a couple of the others this morning.'

Accordion Etoile's trainer Paul Nolan had this race in mind from the moment the seven-year-old finished fourth in last year's Champion Hurdle.

'He is 100%, we are very happy with him and we will just have to see how he measures up on the day now,' said Nolan.

'After he ran in the Champion Hurdle we made a decision based on what the better hurdlers in Ireland were going to do as we didn't see the point in taking them on on soft ground, and we will see tomorrow if we have made the right decision.

'His whole season has been geared around this race and I was pleased with his prep run but he is going to have to improve to win.

'I am not going to have any excuses and please God we get some luck in running and hopefully he will be there or thereabouts.'

Although Nicky Richards has declared Monet's Garden, he has some concerns about the conditions and will check the track before giving the eight-year-old the go-ahead.

'We are looking forward to it ? he's in top nick and must have a good chance,' he said.

'We do have a little bit of concern about the ground and he won't run unless we think it's suitable.

'We would have preferred it on the easier side over that kind of trip but we're going down there hoping to run and we will walk the track tomorrow morning and see where we are.'

Foreman is the sole challenger from France and Thierry Doumen's charge will be making his third trip to the Festival after finishing fourth over hurdles twice in the past.

'He ran a good race last time and he came out of it very, very well,' said Doumen junior.

'However, it is a very hard race, there are many good horses in there and we know it will be tough.

'I have great confidence in Tony (McCoy) and I know that if the horse is good enough he will be in the right place at the right time.

'The job is done, the horse is well, we have a great jockey and now all we need is a bit of luck.'

? PA Sport