Racing is Ryanair possible

Racing Demon looks set to tackle the Ryanair Chase rather than the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup at next week’s Festival meeting.

The seven-year-old was a 25-1 chance with totesport for the Gold Cup but the likely testing ground is swaying trainer Henrietta Knight towards the two-mile-five-furlong Ryanair on Thursday.

“I had a talk with the owner and we are strongly leaning towards the Ryanair Chase now, because we think the ground is going to be pretty testing,” she told the Racing Post.

“He will be left in both races but I can’t see the going being anything other than testing all four days.

“As Racing Demon has not been beyond three miles and two miles five furlongs is his distance, we might stick to that for this season.

“I think a lot of people will be considering coming back in distance.

“It would not be a disappointment to miss the Gold Cup. We’d like him to run in the race he is most suited to and has the best chance.”

Knight also confirmed that Ringaroses has been ruled out of the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle due to a setback and will not run again this term.