made all, taken to outside and asserted approaching 3 out, well clear after 2 out, ran on strongly
chased winner until 3rd, soon pushed along, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on flat
held up, hit 4th, headway 3 out, chased winner after 2 out until last, no impression and soon weakened
mid-division, effort after 4th, struggling approaching 3 out
prominent, chased winner from 3rd, mistake 3 out and no impression, weakened last
chased leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden after next, outpaced approaching 3 out, plugged on flat , no danger
held up, brief effort approaching 3 out, struggling and behind when hit 2 out
mid-division, headway approaching 4th, stayed on same pace from 2 out
held up and behind, last when hit 5th, still going well enough after 3 out, ridden and headway after 2 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Detroit City can be a star in this sphere this season and is fancied to cope with the challenges presented by Sweet Wake and Crow Wood, who make the shortlist ahead of Acambo, who is respected but needs to prove his Swinton Hurdle success was not just a flash in the pan. Carracciola appeals as the best of the rest but has a bit to find on the balance of recent form. Crow Wood is a relentless galloper that will be dangerous to ignore. However, he carries a 6lb penalty for his recent Wincanton success and, as his Flat form leaves him with something to find with the selection, he may have to settle for a minor role. Sweet Wake, on the other hand, will be one to monitor in the betting as he makes his seasonal reappearance. Noel Meade's charge was an expensive failure for the Irish at last season's Cheltenham Festival but many will be willing to forgive an forget today. The gelding will have been freshened up by his summer break and a bold attempt can be expected from this German-bred gelding. However, Detroit City has the edges in terms of fitness and indeed scope for further progression. Phillip Hobbs knows exactly what it takes to train a Champion Hurdle contender and the sky is the limit for this fellow if all goes to plan with him this afternoon.
Detroit City (USA) 3-1fav (11-0) Always prominent, led approaching 3 out, clear last, eased close home, won at Aintree 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr beating Premier Dane (11-0) by 8l, 13 ran.
Mahogany Blaze (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Led, headed briefly after 3rd, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 26l behind Taranis (10-1) at Chepstow 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Oct.
Sweet Wake (GER) 7-2 (11-11) In touch, pulled hard early, improved into close 3rd 3 out, 2nd when slight mistake 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, eased after last, 6th of 7, 16l behind Iktitaf (11-11) at Punchestown 2m nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gd in Apr.
O'Toole (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Held up, in touch, headway from 4th, headway to lead approaching last, driven clear flat, won at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct beating Figaro du Rocher (10-4) by 7l, 12 ran.
Aleron (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) In touch, ridden to lead between last 2, headed after last, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Archie Babe (10-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Oct.
Verasi 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 39l behind Desert Quest (11-12) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gf in Oct.
The Last Hurrah (IRE) 10-3 (10-6) Mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 4th of 15, 19l behind Desert Quest (11-12) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gf in Oct.
Caraman (IRE) 13-2 (11-9) Took keen hold, prominent until weakened after 3 out, 7th of 8, 13l behind Take A Mile (10-5) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Ameeq (USA) 9-4fav (10-12) Keen mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed soon after, no extra, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Mahogany Blaze (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Crow Wood 9-2 (10-1) Made all, ridden and quickened after 2 out, ran on well from last, all out, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl Grd 2 (1) gd beating Desert Quest (11-10) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Caracciola (GER) 16-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden to chase leader approaching 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Desert Quest (11-12) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gf in Oct.
Acambo (GER) 16-1 (10-4) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, led last, soon hung left, driven out, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in May beating Callow Lake (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 21 ran.
