Racecards
14:40 Exeter
William Hill Gold Cup Chase (limited Handicap) (grade 2) (Class 1)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 2m 1f 110y
- Going: Good (Hurdle - Good to Soft; Good in places)
- Surface: Turf
- £70,000 added
- Form 21133P-
- Age 10
- Weight 11-10
- Official Rating 162
- Trainer Miss H C Knight
- Jockey A P McCoy
led 3rd, clear 8th, left well clear 4 out, unchallenged
- Form 12/1117-
- Age 6
- Weight 11-6
- Official Rating 158
- Trainer Miss H C Knight
- Jockey G Lee
held up, blundered and unseated rider 4th
- Form U13/12B-
- Age 8
- Weight 11-2
- Official Rating 154
- Trainer C Llewellyn
- Jockey Andrew Tinkler
held up, blundered badly and unseated rider 3rd
- Form 152144-
- Age 5
- Weight 10-9
- Official Rating 147
- Trainer P F Nicholls
- Jockey Ruby Walsh
held up, ridden approaching 7th, no chance when left 3rd 4 out
- Form 21211F-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-5
- Official Rating 143
- Trainer J L Spearing
- Jockey Tony Evans
blundered 1st, held up, weakened after 8th, left poor 4th 4 out, mistake 2 out
Green Tango
186- Form 211751-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 142
- Trainer H D Daly
- Jockey M Bradburne
fell 3rd
- Form 43643-4
- Age 9
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 139
in touch, went 3rd at 5th, no chance with leading pair when left 2nd 4 out
- Form 18/6640-
- Age 6
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 140
- Trainer D Pipe
- Jockey Timmy Murphy
led until 3rd, chased leaders until lost place 6th, no danger after
- Form 125F01-
- Age 7
- Weight 10-4
- Official Rating 139
- Trainer P Hobbs & J White
- Jockey R Johnson
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, 3 lengths 2nd and staying on when badly hampered by loose horse and unseated rider 4 out
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Racing Demon can give Henrietta Knight a fourth success in this event, with Chilling Place, Impek and Dempsey just three likely dangers. Best Mate captured this race in 2001, and Edredon Bleu followed suit twice in succession afterwards, so connections would dearly love to take the prize again. Racing Demon lost his unbeaten record over fences in the Arkle, and in truth may be better served over further than today's trip this season, but he has the beating of quite a few of today's rivals on past form, Hoo La Baloo and Chilling Place included, so is taken to bounce back with a win. Stablemate Impek was pulled up at Aintree in April but can go well fresh, and should give a good account despite topweight, while Dempsey hails from a stable very much in form at present. Jacks Craic was a credit to connections last term and gained due reward when landing the John Smith's Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree. He will find things tougher this season, but along with Green Tango, is one to follow when conditions are right. Racing Demon is a class act, and although he can never replace Best Mate, he should pick up a good few wins this term, starting here.
Formwatch
Impek (FR) 10-3fav (11-10) Prominent, joined leader 8th to 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Hi Cloy (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr, 11 ran.
Racing Demon (IRE) 9-2fav (11-7) In touch, ridden after 9th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 14, 18l behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Dempsey (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up, in touch when brought down at the 3rd in race won by Newmill (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Hoo La Baloo (FR) 3-1 (11-3) Tracking leader when blundered badly 6th, not recover, last of 4, 12l behind River City (11-6) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gf in Apr.
Jacks Craic (IRE) 11-4fav (10-11) Always towards rear, 6th and beaten when fell 3 out in race won by Nyrche (10-11) at Ayr 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Green Tango 8-13fav (11-8) In touch, headway 4 out, ridden next, led 2 out, 6 lengths clear last, kept on, won at Perth 2m nov chs (3) gf in Apr beating Coat of Honour (11-4) by 2l, 9 ran.
Ground Ball (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Chased leaders in moderate 4th, closed 5 out, 3rd straight, 4th and no impression under pressure from before 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 14l behind Zum See (10-8) at Cork 2m hcp chs 0-140 gs.
Locksmith 50-1 (11-11) Pulled hard in rear, mistake 11th, always behind, tailed off, 16th of 24, well behind Non So (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Chilling Place (IRE) 11-10fav (11-6) Always in touch on outside, led approaching 4 out comfortably, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Apr beating Le Rochelais (11-0) by 7l, 8 ran.