Demon tops Arkle list

Racing Demon heads a list of 57 entries for the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival.

Henrietta Knight’s stable star is the general 5-1 favourite for the two-mile race after winning both of his starts over fences this season.

He is set to face the cream of the Irish novice ranks with Paul Nolan’s Accordion Etoile, already a winner over fences at Cheltenham, and Eamonn Sheehy’s Justified also featuring among the possibles.

Last Saturday’s Lingfield winner Foreman has been entered by Thierry Doumen while Alan King has three-time winner Voy Pos Ustedes.

Champion trainer Martin Pipe will be trying to take the race for a third successive year after lifting it with Well Chief in 2004 and Contraband last year.

He will have the pick of Tamarinbleu, Don’t Be Shy, Medison, Marcel and Whispered Secret this season.

Paul Nicholls, who enjoyed a magnificent six-timer at Wincanton last Saturday, won the Grade One event with Flagship Uberalles in 1999 before following up with Azertyuiop four years later.

Hoo La Baloo, the only finisher in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Sandown on St Stephen's Day, is one of seven for Nicholls along with Albuhera, Cerium, Le Volfoni, Cornish Sett, Turthen and 2002 Champion Hurdle winner Hors La Loi III.

Missed That, winner of last year’s Champion Bumper at the Festival, has been entered by Willie Mullins as has the Martin Brassil-trained Nickname.

Mid Dancer, winner of all nine starts for trainer Arnaud Chaille-Chaille, is the other French-trained entry along with Foreman.