Cheltenham countdown - news digest

Sizing Europe (Pistolet Bleu - Jennie Dun, by Mandalus) won the Grade One AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday with an impressive performance that puts him to the forefront of the Champion Hurdle market.

Dual Champion Hurdler Hardy Eustace set a decent early pace with Sizing Europe cruising behind under Andrew McNamara. At the penultimate flight the Greatwood Hurdle winner took the lead and galloped clear to score by an easy eight lengths from Hardy Eusatce. Al Eile was third.

Sizing Europe is the new 5-2 favourite for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

Winning trainer Henry De Bromhead said: "It was amazing and they went a good gallop I would have said, which is what he needs. Once he gets that he just does this relentless galloping and he's such a big-striding horse. It was great. I'd say we'll just tip away with him, look after him, and try and get him to Cheltenham in one piece."

Thyne Again won the other Grade One on the Leopardstown card, registering a comfortable victory in the Baileys Arkle Perpetual Challenge Cup Novice Chase. The favourite Scotsirish fell early on.

British raider Gardasee set the pace, but Thyne Again jumped into contention at the second-last fence and took control, cantering home to score by 15 lengths.