Easy for Demon

Racing Demon survived a minor scare to maintain his unbeaten record over fences with a comfortable success in the South-West Racing Club Novices’ Chase at Exeter.

The Henrietta Knight-trained six-year-old was sent off the 2-7 favourite for the extended two-mile-three-furlong race and the result never looked in doubt after the fall of Only Wallis left Racing Demon in front at the seventh fence.

Although Cornish Sett tried to go with the favourite, Timmy Murphy was always travelling easily aboard Racing Demon and he was still well on the bridle turning into the straight.

He jumped right and into the wing of the fourth-last, but Murphy kept his cool and only had to flick the reins for Racing Demon to go on again.

Knight’s charge came home 15 lengths clear of Cornish Sett, with Back Nine a further 19 lengths away in third.

Cashmans were impressed and clipped him to 4-1 favourite from 5-1 for the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

VC Bet go 7-2 from 5s.