Detroit City primed for glory in splendid isolation

PHILIP HOBBS has taken no chances with the health of Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle favourite Detroit City, who is stabled separately from the rest of his yard, despite sparkling in his last big workout yesterday morning.

There is only a week until the grey, a 9-4 shot with Blue Square, takes on the wealth of Irish hurdling talent.

And along with Fair Along, Liberate and Boychuk, Detroit City has been kept in a box a field away from the main North Somerset complex.