Sizing Europe tops Champion Hurdle field

There were no major surprises among the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle defectors as Sizing Europe, Osana and reigning title-holder Sublimity all appeared among the five-day confirmations.

Hardy Eustace, Al Eile and Silent Oscar were the most notable among the eight to drop out, although connections of the former confirmed him on target for a crack at the Ladbrokes World Hurdle earlier in the week.

Accordion Etoile, Majadal, Lounaos, the retired Amaretto Rose and Supreme Novices’ Hurdle-bound Pigeon Island complete the list of defectors.

Their guaranteed absence leaves a list of 21 horses still engaged in Tuesday’s Grade One feature at the Cheltenham Festival.

Noel Meade is able to choose from the resurgent Harchibald, Jazz Messenger and Aitmatov, while Straw Bear, Punjabi and Katchit add weight to the British challenge.