Demon goes for Gold
Leading Ryanair Chase fancy Racing Demon is to swerve the race and instead take his chance in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The seven-year-old was expected to put the finishing touches to his Festival preparations in the Commercial First Ascot Chase this weekend but, on account of the soft ground, he will not be seen again until March.
Racing Demon was as low as 11-2 with some bookmakers for the Ryanair.
“We are going to go straight to Cheltenham but we will go for the Gold Cup,” said trainer Henrietta Knight.
“Everything has been fine with him at home, but the ground is terrible at the moment and I would rather wait for Cheltenham.
“Ringaroses will go straight to Cheltenham too as there is no prep race for him on this ground.”
Racing Demon is 16-1 with Coral for the Gold Cup, while Ringaroses is a general 12-1 chance for the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle.
The former was one of 46 thrown into the ring for what will be the third renewal of the £175,000 (€262,900) Ryanair Chase.
Thisthatandtother proved half a length too strong for Fondmort in 2005 and is again entered for the two-mile-five-furlong contest.
Fondmort prevailed in 2006 and his trainer Nicky Henderson has made three entries this time around in Copsale Lad, Crozan and Mariah Rollins.
In addition to Thisthatandtother, champion trainer Paul Nicholls has left in Gold Cup favourite Kauto Star, Cerium and Taranis.
Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary owns two possible runners under the Gigginstown House Stud banner in the shape of last year’s Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition and Kill Devil Hill.
Irish-trained horses account for 15 of the entries, including the Michael O’Brien-trained duo of In Compliance and Forget The Past.
Smart novice Schindlers Hunt, successful twice in Grade One company at Leopardstown this season, is a possible starter from Dessie Hughes’ yard.
Market leader My Way De Solzen and Monet’s Garden have also held their ground.
Other exciting entries include Exotic Dancer, one of three for Jonjo O’Neill, while David Pipe has a quartet of horses headed by Our Vic and Vodka Bleu.
Cheltenham communications manager Andy Clifton said: “The 2007 entry of 46 is high on quality so we are eagerly anticipating an enthralling renewal on March 15.”
