Knight Sits Tight With Demon

Henrietta Knight is looking for a suitable opportunity for leading Irish Independent Arkle Trophy hope Racing Demon after he was forced to miss an engagement at Warwick.

The Wantage trainer had hoped to run the exciting five-year-old in the Betfredpoker Novices´ Chase, but was left without a jockey after Timmy Murphy was claimed by David Johnson to ride Medison.

'My rider has been claimed by Mr Johnson as he has a runner and I am not going to change my jockey,' said Knight.

'There is a race at Uttoxeter in about 10 days´ time, but it is difficult to find a race he is eligible for.

'The earliest opportunity I find to put him in a race then I will do so.

'How many runs he has before Cheltenham depends on when we get our first run and it also depends on the weather - it may only be one run as it is so difficult to find anything.'

Murphy has ridden Racing Demon in both of his victories over fences, including when he beat Hoo La Baloo in the Grade Two Sodexho Prestige Henry VIII Novices´ Chase at the beginning of the month.

The runner-up that day went on to claim the Stan James Wayward Lad Novices´ Chase on St Stephen's Day, although a rematch between the pair failed to materialise when Racing Demon was withdrawn due to the ground.

'He is quite happy on soft ground, but what I don´t want is what we had at Sandown,' added Knight.

'It wasn´t firm in the home straight, but was firm in places down the back and I wasn´t prepared to risk him on that.'

(C) PA Sport