Pressure Off For Knight

Henrietta Knight is grateful the pressure is not firmly centred on Racing Demon as the Wantage trainer bids for a third Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton.

The former headmistress has landed the contest with Best Mate and Edredon Bleu in recent years and admits the focus on the former took the enjoyment out of the big days somewhat.

Having found it hard to watch three-time Gold Cup winner in action on several occasions, Knight says she is now made of sterner stuff.

'I've got a lot better now and watch them all,' she told At The Races. 'Now I'm 60 I have to be a bit more grown up.

'With Best Mate there was always so much pressure on, but I used to watch most of the other ones.'

And on Racing Demon, who will attempt to build on an impressive recent win in the Peterborough Chase, she added: 'We're always hopeful. Terry (Biddlecombe) thinks we're going to win but I've always been a bit more of a pessimist ? I'm always very cautious.

'He hasn't run at the top level at all really, and we'd have to say the Arkle was a bit of a disappointment, but it was obviously not his distance.

'I thought the performance he put up in the Peterborough was absolutely top class and that was the best he's run.

'You'd have to be a very, very good horse to beat Kauto Star and I think Monet's Garden is a lovely horse too. I wouldn't mind either of those two in my yard as well ? they're beautiful horses.

'But we hope to be bang there and Terry is ever the optimist. He thinks we'll win every race and I hope he's right!'

(C) PA Sport