Demon colours successful at Sandown

Supporters of Racing Demon, ante-post favourite for next week’s Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy, left Sandown hoping they had seen a good omen after stablemate Aztec Warrior took the finale.

The lightly-raced five-year-old, who is owned like Racing Demon by Camilla Radford, showed a good attitude as he outfought his rivals to take the betfair.com ’National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle under Timmy Murphy.

And trainer Henrietta Knight believes Aztec Warrior could go on to have the same sort of profile as his better-known stablemate.

“I think some people must have thought I was mad running a horse who really wants three miles over two, but when the ground is like this then stamina is what you need,” she said.

“I deliberately didn’t enter him for any of the championship races but he is still weak and lacking in maturity for that sort of thing.

“I think he could be very good though. He is a beautiful horse with a beautiful head and potentially very classy.”

Knight said she would be hoping for some cut in the ground at Cheltenham next week.

“It’s raining here and raining everywhere but I’ve spoken to Sam (Vestey, Cheltenham chairman) and he says they’re not getting much – it’s those Malvern Hills that swallow it all up,” she said.

“Ideally he would want some cut, probably good to soft, so I am hoping some of this rain does get through.

“He is very well, in very good form. He worked with this horse last week and they both went well so let’s hope this is a good omen.”