COUNTING on Cloudmor (12.50) to help pay the expenses at Sedgefield today might not be such a bad idea.

The recent rain must have been music to the ears of trainer Len Lungo, who is fully aware that the five-year-old is perfectly capable of holding his own however soft it is underfoot.

Neither is it any coincidence that Lungo has opted to switch Cloudmor back to hurdles as the gelding didn't jump at all well when runner-up to Silver Sedge over fences at Newcastle last time.

Considering Silver Sedge is quite a useful chaser, Cloudmor performed a minor miracle to get within five lengths of his hindquarters after giving three of the obstacles an almighty clout.

Thanks to a shrewd bit of placing by his Scottish handler the selection appears to have a much easier task in the Newcastle Breweries Classified Hurdle, which as the poor level of prize money suggests, is little better than selling class.

Another individual to blunder away all hope of victory was Newbay Lady, who looked likely to score on her Hexham chase debut until being brought to a near standstill when taking the third last fence by its roots.

Sue and Harvey Smith have few peers when it comes to sorting out jumping problems, so it's safe to assume Newbay Lady has been the subject of intensive schooling in preparation for a tilt at the Ramside Catering Handicap Chase.

Richard McGrath wasn't hard on Minster Shadow (3.20) during an encouraging reappearance at the course a fortnight ago.

Seeing as Chris Grant's powerhouse was returning from a long absence, McGrath was within his rights to let Mister Shadow gather his wits and become reacquainted with the rough and tumble in the heat of battle.

Granted what was a relatively kind reintroduction, it could be a different story if the pair get down to business in the closing Sendrig Construction Handicap Hurdle, a staying event tailor-made for Minster Shadow now he's got his eye back in.

* Philip Hobbs declared Champion Hurdle favourite Detroit City to be bang ''on course'' for the Boylesports.com International at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The Triumph Hurdle winner showed himself to be in good order with an authoritative display in the Greatwood Hurdle at Prestbury Park last month.

Hobbs sees the International, formerly known as the Bula Hurdle, as the perfect stepping-stone en-route to the Champion Hurdle at the Festival, for which he is as low as 100-30.

The Somerset-based trainer said: ''Detroit City is very much on course for the big race at Cheltenham on Saturday. I am more than happy with him.

''I gather that Hardy Eustace is likely to come over from Ireland and take him on but I have no idea who else he will be up against.''