chased leader, left in lead 7th, clear approaching 4 out, jumped right, brushed wing 4 out, jumped right after, shaken up 2 out, pushed clear from last, comfortably
prominent, hampered 7th, chased winner 8th, ridden after 10th, kept on well from 3 out but no chance with winner
held off mid-division, ridden 10th, kept on one pace from 3 out
towards rear when hampered, unseated rider 7th
always towards rear, lost touch 7th, held on
jumped right 2nd, pecked 3rd, lost touch 9th, no impression
chased leader, lost touch 10th, never on terms
pulled hard in mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 6th
always behind, hampered 7th, pulled up before 9th
Nonrunner
After 71 days off the track, Racing Demon finally gets the chance to limber up for Cheltenham, and should have little more than an exercise canter, with only Cornish Sett likely to present a challenge. It has been a frustrating time for Henrietta Knight in her bid to get Racing Demon ready for the Arkle, as for one reason or another, the fates have transpired to stop her rising star from fulfilling his destiny. However, she can have no complaints about the going today, and the scene looks set for Racing Demon to add to his haul over fences that includes a four-length beating of Hoo La Baloo in Grade 2 company at Sandown last time. His opponents all look up against it apart from Cornish Sett who has been performing well against decent opponents, not least Irish ace Justified who beat him at Newbury a month ago. He will get round and is a banker for the frame, while of the rest, Back Nine is worth a mention, but he will struggle for pace when the two principals quicken on as they surely will. Racing Demon is a class apart and should have little trouble in returning from a break with a smooth success.
Racing Demon (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Held up last, reminders and headway 4 out, tracked leader next, challenged 2 out, led before last, kept on strongly run-in, won at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Dec beating Hoo La Baloo (10-13) by 4l, 7 ran.
Cornish Sett (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Held up, headway to chase winner 8th, ridden 3 out, kept on well, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Justified (11-12) at Newbury 2m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
Back Nine (IRE) 6-4 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed 4 out, 2 lengths down and under pressure when fell 2 out in race won by Copsale Lad (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 4f nov chs (C) sft in Dec, 5 ran.
La Source A Gold (IRE) Pulled up in race won by Two Tonys Sham at Ballindenisk 3m ptp gd in May '04, 17 ran.
Lesdream 25-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, lost touch after 9th, 9th of 14, well behind Lough Derg (11-6) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (D) gs in Dec.
Master Billyboy (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) In touch, weakened approaching 11th, 11th of 15, 45l behind Glacial Delight (11-11) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
Mythical King (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Jumped left, mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 24l behind Billyvoddan (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
Only Wallis (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Held up, headway and not fluent 8th, soon ridden, weakened next, 6th of 15, 45l behind Native Ivy (11-1) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (E) gs in Mar '04.
Powra 66-1 (10-10) Pulled hard, led 1st, jumped right 2nd, headed and fell at the 3rd in race won by Tamarinbleu (11-1) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Jan, 10 ran.
River of Wishes 100-1 (10-7) Prominent, hit 2nd, lost place 3rd, behind after 5th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Sunley Shines (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
Madam Flora 20-1 (10-13) Led, jumped right 7th, headed 4 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 13l behind Sporazene (11-6) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (D) gd in Oct '04.
