Johnson remains baffled by Detroit City flop
The five-year-old had gone into the race in the best possible form, winning his previous eight races.
But he was never travelling at any stage in the championship event and trailed in 19 lengths behind Sublimity.
That the rest of Philip Hobbs’ team performed with credit compounded Johnson’s confusion.
“On the whole we had a good week as we had four seconds and obviously Massini’s Maguire won the Ballymore Properties as well as a few other places,” said Johnson.
“Everything ran well apart from Detroit City, he was obviously the main disappointment and for whatever reason he didn’t run his race.
“He seems fine now, Philip is very happy with him and he’ll go to Aintree for the two-and-a-half mile Aintree Hurdle and hopefully he will be back to his old form.
“If he is, he is only five and we have a lot to look forward to with him and we can go again another day,” he told At The Races.
Meanwhile Oscar Park is set to go novice chasing in the autumn following his victory in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final at the Cheltenham Festival last week.
Trainer David Arbuthnot will school the George Ward-owned eight-year-old over fences before giving him a well-earned summer break.
“He came out of the race really well. I don’t think we’ll run him again this season. I will stick to my plan of schooling him over fences during the summer and send him novice chasing next year,” said Arbuthnot.
“He will start off in the autumn depending on the weather. We wouldn’t want to risk him on firm ground but as long as it is reasonable he will be away.”
Silver Birch is on target for the John Smith’s Grand National after a fine performance at the Cheltenham Festival. A Welsh National winner when in the care of Paul Nicholls, he is now handled by County Meath trainer Gordon Elliott.
Silver Birch has seemingly been nursed back to his best form and ran a stormer to finish second conceding 12lb to Heads Onthe Ground in the Sporting Index Cross Country Chase.
“He came out of it bouncing,” said Elliott. “We rode him out for the first time this morning and he’s grand, he’s in great old form and I couldn’t be happier.
“He travelled really well, he jumped brilliant and it was just weight that beat him on the day.
“We were giving the winner 12lb and it just proved too much.
“All roads now lead to the National, that is the plan.
“We no jockey plan finalised though as Jason Maguire rode him at Cheltenham but he has just been booked up to ride Idle Talk.”
Silver Birch is a 33-1 chance for Aintree glory.
Cornish Rebel, beaten a short head by Joes Edge in the 2005 Scottish Grand National, is likely to change hands at the Doncaster Sales today.
Previously owned by Graham Roach, he ran in the colours of John Halewood for Paul Nicholls at Cheltenham a week ago when finishing 12th to Joes Edge in the William Hill Handicap Chase.
Cornish Rebel also holds entries in the John Smith’s Grand National, the Scottish Grand National and the Betfred Gold Cup.
“He’s been a smashing horse over the years and has done us proud,” said Nicholls’ assistant, Dan Skelton.
“I’m sure whoever takes him on will have a lot of fun with him in the big forthcoming staying chase handicaps.”
