English Hope Heads Irish-Dominated Champion Hurdle Entry

Detroit City heads a list of 28 entries for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, a race that has been dominated by the Irish in recent years and this year features 17 entries from the other side of the Irish Sea.

Defending Champion Brave Inca, who has already recorded two grade 1 successes this season in the Ballymore Properties Hattons Grace and the bewleyshotels.com December Festival Hurdle, spearheads the Irish list that also includes dual winner Hardy Eustace and Noel Meade's quartet of Iktitaf, Harchibald, Jazz Messenger and Sweet Wake.

William Hill make Detroit City their 9-4 favourite for the two mile showpiece with last years winner Brave Inca their 7-2 second favourite and Hardy Eustace, Iktitaf and Macs Joy the 10-1 joint third best.

Ben Clarke of William Hill added: "Irish horses, and in particular Brave Inca, have been finding their form recently and they will fancy their chances but in Detroit City we finally have a horse that could dominate the hurdling scene for many years. His performances over the past 12 months have been faultless and he is a worthy favourite to emulate Rooster Booster and bring the Champion Hurdle crown back to England."

Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle (William Hill Bet): 9-4 Detroit City, 7-2 Brave Inca, 8-1 Macs Joy (from 10), 10-1 Hardy Eustace, Iktitaf, 11-1 Straw Bear, 14-1 Harchibald, 16-1 Feathard Lady, Jazz Messenger, 20-1 Acambo, Asian Maze, Noble Request, 25-1 Desert Quest, 40-1 Afsoun, 50-1 Arcalis, Hide The Evidence, Mister Hight, Newmill (doubtful), Quatre Heures, Sweet Wake, Tarlac, 66-1 Al Eile, 100-1 Kawagino, Overstrand, Silent Oscar, Sublimity, 500-1