Demon in line for Monet's clash

Henrietta Knight has revealed that Racing Demon is likely to make his seasonal reappearance in the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase at Carlisle on October 29.

The two-and-a-half-mile contest has also been mooted as a possible starting point for last season's Arkle runner-up Monet's Garden, which would set up a mouth-watering clash between two of last year's leading novice chasers.

After rattling up a treble over fences, Racing Demon was sent off the 9-2 favourite for the Arkle at Cheltenham but could only finish seventh.

However, the six-year-old is set to be campaigned over further than two miles this season and Knight sees the Carlisle contest as an ideal starting point.

"Racing Demon is limbering up and he may well be going to Carlisle for an intermediate chase on Sunday week where he may face Monet's Garden," said Knight.

"It may be pretty tough for his first race but it was either that or the Haldon Gold Cup and I don't want to be taking on Impek either. It had to be one or the other.

"The Gold Cup is a long way off yet and we have to take in these intermediate chases first and see how we go.

"He definitely wants further than two miles and I think he'll be a three-miler.

"Terry (Biddlecombe, assistant trainer) says he is perfectly OK jumping both ways - I just have it in my head that he is better right-handed," Knight told At The Races.

"Monet's Garden is full of potential though and I think he is a lovely horse. I've put him in my 10 to follow and I would love to train him as well."