Demon on target for Ludlow

Racing Demon, ante-post favourite for the Arkle Trophy, will step up to two-and-a-half miles for the first time at Ludlow on Thursday.

Trainer Henrietta Knight has confirmed the six-year-old will run in the Concha Y Toro Wines Novices’ Chase rather than tackle a similar event at Newbury the day before.

Knight has been persuaded towards running at Ludlow as regular pilot Timmy Murphy will be available and she feels the easy track will be ideal as Racing Demon steps up in trip.

She explained: “The two courses he’s run on so far this season have hills in them. Ludlow is a flat, sharp course and they might have gone too quick for him over two, but two and a half should be fine.”

Although Racing Demon is the general 5-1 joint-favourite along with Accordion Etoile for the Arkle, Knight does not see Thursday’s race as a penalty kick.

She added: “Paul Nicholls has said he will run Taranis, who looked very good when he won at Newbury and he could give us a race.”