Cheltenham preview:Old warrior Hardy Eustace and young pretender Detroit City will go to war at Cheltenham today with connections in both camps equally bullish about their chances in the boylesports.com International.
Although only four runners will line up a fascinating duel is on the cards with four-year-old Detroit City out to justify his position at the head of the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle market.
Philip Hobbs' charge is the 3 to 1 market leader with Ladbrokes to succeed in March and follow in the footsteps of his owner Terry Warner's ill-fated grey Rooster Booster, who took the same two races in the 2002 season.
Winner of last season's Triumph Hurdle, Detroit City heads into the Grade Two event on the back of his runaway success in the Greatwood Hurdle last month, and Warner said: "There are only four runners, but I do think he is the horse to beat.
Hobbs is unconcerned by the small field and revealed he is open-minded about tactics. He said: "I'm not really worried about the small field. I suppose it depends really what Hardy Eustace is going to do. We can either lead or not, it doesn't make any difference to us really so we shall just see how the race pans out. He's been very well since his last race. The one thing that has been well-documented with him is that he will definitely get further in time but while he is effective at two miles and hopefully he remains so, we will keep him at it," he told Racing UK.
Dessie Hughes, trainer of dual Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace, is also unconcerned about the small field for his recent Ascot winner, who is a 14 to 1 shot for a hat-trick of wins in the blue riband.
Hughes said: "It has turned out to be a small field, but I am not concerned. The horse is in great order - he travelled over Thursday night and arrived Friday morning and he has settled in fine.
"I am sure he will be the one to beat. Detroit City has done it well so far, but he has only been running in handicaps and this will be a different ball game for him.
"He is only a four-year-old too, and we are entitled to give him 4lb. I just hope the weather stays fine. They are racing on the ground today and it is the second-last race tomorrow so the ground will be cut up."
Howard Johnson's Arcalis, a battling fourth in the 'Fighting Fifth' and Crow Wood complete the field.
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