led 3rd, clear 8th, left well clear 4 out, unchallenged
held up, blundered and unseated rider 4th
held up, blundered badly and unseated rider 3rd
held up, ridden approaching 7th, no chance when left 3rd 4 out
blundered 1st, held up, weakened after 8th, left poor 4th 4 out, mistake 2 out
fell 3rd
in touch, went 3rd at 5th, no chance with leading pair when left 2nd 4 out
led until 3rd, chased leaders until lost place 6th, no danger after
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, 3 lengths 2nd and staying on when badly hampered by loose horse and unseated rider 4 out
Racing Demon can give Henrietta Knight a fourth success in this event, with Chilling Place, Impek and Dempsey just three likely dangers. Best Mate captured this race in 2001, and Edredon Bleu followed suit twice in succession afterwards, so connections would dearly love to take the prize again. Racing Demon lost his unbeaten record over fences in the Arkle, and in truth may be better served over further than today's trip this season, but he has the beating of quite a few of today's rivals on past form, Hoo La Baloo and Chilling Place included, so is taken to bounce back with a win. Stablemate Impek was pulled up at Aintree in April but can go well fresh, and should give a good account despite topweight, while Dempsey hails from a stable very much in form at present. Jacks Craic was a credit to connections last term and gained due reward when landing the John Smith's Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree. He will find things tougher this season, but along with Green Tango, is one to follow when conditions are right. Racing Demon is a class act, and although he can never replace Best Mate, he should pick up a good few wins this term, starting here.
Impek (FR) 10-3fav (11-10) Prominent, joined leader 8th to 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Hi Cloy (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Racing Demon (IRE) 9-2fav (11-7) In touch, ridden after 9th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 14, 18l behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Dempsey (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up, in touch when brought down at the 3rd in race won by Newmill (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Hoo La Baloo (FR) 3-1 (11-3) Tracking leader when blundered badly 6th, not recover, last of 4, 12l behind River City (11-6) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gf in Apr.
Jacks Craic (IRE) 11-4fav (10-11) Always towards rear, 6th and beaten when fell 3 out in race won by Nyrche (10-11) at Ayr 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Green Tango 8-13fav (11-8) In touch, headway 4 out, ridden next, led 2 out, 6 lengths clear last, kept on, won at Perth 2m nov chs (3) gf in Apr beating Coat of Honour (11-4) by 2l, 9 ran.
Ground Ball (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders in moderate 4th, closed 5 out, 3rd straight, 4th and no impression under pressure from before 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 14l behind Zum See (10-8) at Cork 2m hcp chs 0-140 gs.
Locksmith 50-1 (11-11) Pulled hard in rear, mistake 11th, always behind, tailed off, 16th of 24, well behind Non So (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Chilling Place (IRE) 11-10fav (11-6) Always in touch on outside, led approaching 4 out comfortably, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Apr beating Le Rochelais (11-0) by 7l, 8 ran.
