CHELTENHAM: Sizing Europe is the latest high-profile Irish to be ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival - which gets under way today. The news comes after War Of Attrition was yesterday ruled out of Friday's totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Europe was set to run in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle but last year's beaten favourite failed to please trainer Henry De Bromhead since arriving at the racecourse.
"We've had Sizing Europe checked out and the vet has told us that the horse is suffering from transit fever. He obviously must have picked something up travelling over here and it is very disappointing for everyone concerned that he cannot run," De Bromhead told the Racing Post.
Brave Inca has made a safe voyage across the Irish Sea ahead of his quest to reclaim the Champion Hurdle crown. Colm Murphy's 2006 winner has also finished second and third in the race - as well as winning the Supreme Novices' Hurdle in 2004.
With Ruby Walsh and Tony McCoy claimed for other mounts, Dominic Elsworth has been booked by Murphy, who said: "He travelled over really well and has already settled in. He's an old hand at this sort of thing now, he'd nearly drive the ferry himself.
"If the rain comes, it should be perfect for him. He doesn't want it too testing, but it just slows the others down. We never thought for one minute he would be here after his injury but he has shown that he deserves to be here. He's there with an each-way chance, anything after that is a bonus."
Noel Meade has three declared in Harchibald, Jered and Muirhead, but is keen to state that Harchibald would not run if the ground did take a turn for the worse.
He said: "If the ground stayed the way it is at the minute, all three would have big chances. But the forecast is bad and we can't do anything about that. If it turned soft, Harchibald definitely would not run and, in that event, I think it would be probable that Paul (Carberry) would be switched over to Muirhead.
"Jered is fresh and he's well, he's in great form and we are very pleased with him, he's in good shape. He would like goodish ground but he can handle it a bit softer than Harchi and it won't inconvenience him too much.
"Muirhead is improving all the time, I still think he will improve more. I think he will handle good ground, too, as he is a great mover. He's a light-framed horse with plenty of speed but he has proved that he can handle soft ground. We can't change the weather and whatever happens, happens."
War Of Attrition was ruled out by trainer Mouse Morris. The 10-year-old, winner of the blue riband event in 2006, is now likely be geared towards a tilt at the John Smith's Grand National at Aintree on April 4.
"War Of Attrition will not run in the Gold Cup as he was a bit jarred when we pulled him out of his box on Sunday," said the County Tipperary handler.
"We gave him a scan and that came back perfect, which was a big relief, but I'm not going to take a chance with him. I would say he'll be sound by Friday and he'll probably go for the National at Aintree now. It's disappointing, but the National is a good race to go for with him and we'll be happy enough if he wins that."
Jonjo O'Neill has expressed his delight at the condition of the Cheltenham ground after walking the course with JP McManus, but warned any significant rainfall would count against Albertas Run.
O'Neill, who rode Dawn Run to win the blue riband in 1986, covered a circuit of the track with his main patron, who will see his famous green and gold silks carried by Binocular in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.
Conditions at the Prestbury Park track are predominantly good to soft, and O'Neill said: "The ground is in great order, and is exactly what they have been calling it."
Last year's RSA Chase winner Albertas Run and Lexus Chase hero Exotic Dancer will represent O'Neill on Friday afternoon and with rain forecast, supporters of the former will be keeping their fingers crossed for a minimal amount.
O'Neill added: "With the Gold Cup horses it depends how much rain falls. It might not suit Albertas but it won't bother the other fellow."