Verdict

If Racing Demon turns up there can only be one winner, with Nycteos and Idole First likely to make a bit of a race of it at least. Henrietta Knight's young star, ante-post favourite for the Arkle Chase, finally looks as though he will have a prep race before Cheltenham as he lines up odds-on for this novices' chase. Unbeaten in his first two outings over fences, Racing Demon has missed a number of engagements since beating Hoo La Baloo at Sandown in December, and with the Festival looming, connections desperately need to get a run into him. With Timmy Murphy claimed to ride elsewhere, Sam Thomas, who has done all the schooling on the six-year-old, rides him in a race for the first time and should have an armchair ride. Nycteos was not too far behind Brooklyn Breeze at Aintree on his seasonal reappearance, and in receipt of over a stone, he might be the one to chase the selection home. Idole First may have needed his run behind Green Tango at Hereford, and should at least make his presence felt without being good enough, and in truth this is best left to Racing Demon who is a class apart from his rivals.

Formwatch

Racing Demon (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Held up last, reminders and headway 4 out, tracked leader next, challenged 2 out, led before last, kept on strongly run-in, won at Sandown 2m nov chs Grd 2 (A) sft in Dec beating Hoo La Baloo (10-13) by 4l, 7 ran.

Harry Potter (GER) 16-1 (10-2) Always towards rear, mistake 3 out, 9th of 11, 23l behind Palua (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jan.

Idole First (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, struggling from 10th, 6th of 14, well behind Green Tango (11-3) at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.

Jonanaud 50-1 (10-12) In rear, some headway 11th, jumped right and weakened 14th, blundered next, tailed off when pulled up at the 17th in race won by Bob Bob Bobbin (11-5) at Chepstow 3m 2f beg chs (4) sft in Jan, 11 ran.

Mythical King (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Jumped left, mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden when mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 24l behind Billyvoddan (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.

Drive On Driver (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Hampered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Bob Bob Bobbin (11-5) at Chepstow 3m 2f beg chs (4) sft in Jan, 11 ran.

Nycteos (FR) 5-1jt-fav (11-9) Tracked leader, joined leader 5th, ridden 3 out, one pace from last, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Brooklyn Breeze (11-6) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gs in Oct.