Hobbs Delight At Exeter Workout

Philip Hobbs was 'very pleased' after Cheltenham big guns Detroit City and Fair Along came through a workout at Exeter racecourse with flying colours.

The two Minehead inmates head their respective markets for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle and Irish Independent Arkle Trophy and had their final serious piece of work before the Festival.

Hobbs also took a handful of other Festival possibles, including Boychuk and Liberate, to Exeter and expressed satisfaction with all of them.

'It was very good indeed. Detroit City worked in front with Fair Along and the pair of them went equally well really. I was very pleased indeed,' said Hobbs.

'There would have been heavy patches after the meeting there on Sunday but it was just soft ground really and they got through it OK.'

'The race (Champion Hurdle) is only two weeks tomorrow so we will put the finishing touches to his (Detroit City's) preparations at home.

'I wouldn't have thought we would need to take him away again.

'The same goes for Fair Along. The Arkle is just 35 minutes before the Champion Hurdle so he will just be going steady now.'

Of his other Cheltenham possibles, Hobbs added: 'We also took down Boychuk, who is on target for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase and Liberate, who is on target for the Triumph Hurdle.

'Lord Henry was there. He hasn't run for a long time but he might run in the County Hurdle and Monkerhostin might run in the Gold Cup.

'Parsons Legacy might go in the William Hill Handicap Chase and Zabenz for the same race.

'They all went well and as long as they stay sound, I will be very happy.'

(C) PA Sport