Eustace Ready For Detroit Test

Dessie Hughes yesterday laid down the gauntlet to connections of young pretender Detroit City ahead of Hardy Eustace's return to Cheltenham this weekend.

In what promises to be a classic encounter of youth versus experience, Philip Hobbs' Triumph Hurdle winner is set to clash with Hughes' two-time Champion Hurdle hero in the boylesports.com International on Saturday.

Detroit City has caused quite a stir this season with brilliant victories in the Cesarewitch and the Greatwood Hurdle, which has seen the four-year-old rocket to the head of the market for the Champion Hurdle at the Festival.

Despite the kudos afforded to the Terry Warner-owned grey, Hughes hopes Hardy Eustace's racecourse nous can come to the fore in the two-mile-one-furlong International.

'He (Detroit City) has looked very good in his last two wins but he's still only a four-year-old and he's still got something to prove so we'll see,' said the County Kildare handler.

Hardy Eustace struggled to realise his true form last campaign but put up a really impressive display at Ascot on his seasonal reappearance over timber in November.

'He's every bit as good as ever,' Hughes told At The Races.

'Last year he had a bit of a blip and we couldn't really get him right ? he seems right this year though and I'm sure he'll give a good account of himself.'

Boylesports make the nine-year-old their 5-2 second favourite for the International, while Detroit City is clear market leader at odds of 4-9.

(C) PA Sport