Racing: Detroit City will try to redeem his reputation following his Cheltenham flop in the Scottish And Newcastle Aintree Hurdle next month.
The hot favourite for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle never gave his supporters much hope as he trailed in sixth behind Sublimity.
That poor run remains a mystery to connections, who will now step the grey up in trip at Aintree on April 14th.
"He seems to be perfectly OK but obviously we will be monitoring him very carefully as things get nearer to Aintree," said trainer Philip Hobbs.
"We hope to take him there for the two-and-a-half mile hurdle. I think we will take the blinkers off him, especially over a longer trip.
"He probably doesn't need the blinkers to get him hard on the bridle and travelling.
"What we do with him next season depends on what happens at Aintree. I suppose if he was disappointing there you would have to consider novice chasing.
"If he was staying particularly well there - and I've always thought he would stay well - we might take the Stayers' Hurdle route or it could be the Champion Hurdle again.
"Just because of one run you wouldn't abandon everything. We are very open-minded. I think we might put the blinkers back on if we were to go for a fast-run race over two miles,"
The Minehead trainer revealed Detroit City may also attempt to repeat last year's win in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket in October.
"I wouldn't be ruling anything out but I suppose it's likely he would have a break at some stage and if you were to be deciding now, he would go for the Cesarewitch," Hobbs said.
"At that time of year there isn't a hurdle race to suit him and he's a very stuffy horse so an extra piece of work would do him good so why not get paid for it?"