City Faces Ten In Champion

Ante-post favourite Detroit City heads the final field of 11 hopefuls going to post for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham tomorrow.

The Philip Hobbs-trained grey stood his ground along with defending champion Brave Inca and two-time scorer Hardy Eustace.

Irish eyes will also be on Noel Meade's Iktitaf, the Tom Mullins-trained Asian Maze and John Carr's recent market-springer Sublimity.

JP McManus, successful three times with the mighty Istabraq in this race between 1998 and 2000, will be represented by Straw Bear this time around, while Afsoun and Totesport Trophy disappointment Acambo also take their chance.

Likely outsiders Kawagino and Marble Garden have also been declared and complete the line up for the two-mile showpiece.

Al Eile, Harchibald, Jazz Messenger, Macs Joy and last year's Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Newmill were the five to drop out at the declaration stage.

DEMON ?ALMOST CERTAIN' FOR RYANAIR

Racing Demon is set to take his chance in Thursday's Ryanair Chase after Henrietta Knight walked the course at Cheltenham on Sunday.

He also has an entry in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, but his trainer is loathe to run him on particularly soft ground.

'He is fine and now looks almost certain to run in the Ryanair rather than the Gold Cup,' said Knight.

'There is lots of grass and it is good, safe jumping ground but still quite testing.'

The seven-year-old disappointed in the 2006 Arkle at the course but has been in good form this term, winning the Peterborough Chase and finishing third in the King George VI Chase, although he disappointingly fell over hurdles last time out.

(C) PA Sport