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.