tracked leading pair, ridden approaching last, not quicken, lost 3rd run-in
tracked winner, ridden to challenge after 2 out, switched right and stayed on run-in
held up behind leading trio, ridden approaching last, not quicken, went 3rd run-in
made all, reached for 3rd, jumped slightly right next two, quickened pace after 2 out, stayed on, driven out
Detroit City is narrowly preferred to Hardy Eustace. Philip Hobbs' charged burst onto the Champion Hurdle scene with a scintillating success in the Greatwood Hurdle and this will be the acid test as he meets a former Champion Hurdle winner. Hardy Eustace may have years against him but his problems look to have been overcome and it would be folly to disregard him against a young pretender. The concession of 4lb may just prove the divider. Arcalis looks to have gone off the boil since his novice days and he was no match for Straw Bear at Newcastle. Front-running Crow Wood has it to do on official figures and is a far from forlorn hope if the riders on the market protagonists are caught asleep. This is what racing should be about and we side with young pretender, Detroit City to confirm his Champion Hurdle credentials.
Arcalis 8-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 4 out, challenged next, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 7l behind Straw Bear (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Nov.
Hardy Eustace (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Always prominent, led on bit 3 out, clear approaching last, easily, won at Ascot 2m 3f hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Nov beating Mighty Man (11-8) by 11l, 7 ran.
Crow Wood 33-1 (11-7) In touch, went 2nd approaching 4th, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 21l behind Straw Bear (11-7) at Newcastle 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Nov.
Detroit City (USA) 6-5fav (11-12) Made all, taken to outside and asserted approaching 3 out, well clear after 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs in Nov beating Ameeq (10-3) by 14l, 9 ran.
