Tests on Sizing Europe continue

TESTS ON the Champion Hurdle hope Sizing Europe are still on-going at Henry de Bromhead’s yard, but the Co Waterford trainer hasn’t ruled his stable star out of the Cheltenham highlight in six weeks time.

Sizing Europe was announced a non-runner in last Sunday’s Toshiba Irish Champion Hurdle just three days before the event when de Bromhead revealed the horse was under veterinary examination.

He wasn’t in a position to reveal much more yesterday, but de Bromhead stressed that the Champion Hurdle remains a target for the horse who injured his back in last season’s championship at the festival.

“We would love to get him there but I just don’t know what’s going to happen just yet.

“We are not completely happy with him and tests are on-going. He is okay in himself and we are continuing to look into it,” he said.

Sizing Europe remains among the leading Irish contenders for the Champion Hurdle and is currently a 14 to 1 shot with Paddy Power for the race.

In other news yesterday a total of 14 entries were left in Thursday’s Grade Two MacLochlainn Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles.

The race that set Newmill on his way to Champion Chase glory three years ago has attracted the Hilly Way Chase winner Scotsirish as well as the top-rated Watson Lake who finished only fifth to Mansony in the Normans Grove at Fairyhouse on Friday.

Also engaged is the Grand National hope Black Apalachi who landed the Becher Chase over the big fences in Liverpool last November.

Before that, there will be racing at Limerick tomorrow after Horse Racing Ireland announced yesterday they have re-scheduled the card that was supposed to have been run off on Sunday.

The original fixture was called off on Saturday due to a waterlogged course.