City bypasses Punchestown date

Detroit City will not bid for a Festival hat-trick after owner Terry Warner decided not to tackle Friday’s tote.ie Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown.

The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding has already landed the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree but Warner did not want to try for a memorable three-timer.

“I’ve told Philip to take Detroit City out of the race,” said Warner.

“I thought winning at Aintree was a bonus after Cheltenham and I just don’t want to be thought too greedy.

“The horse is very, very well and Philip is desperate to run, saying it is a a €130,000 race but I think it is time to draw stumps and enough is enough,” he told The Sportsman.