Sublimity a stronger horse says Carr

Connections of Sublimity believe their charge is a stronger horse this year as the countdown to the defence of his Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle title nears completion.

The former Sir Michael Stoute-trained eight-year-old left two former champions trailing in his wake 12 months ago when he sprinted away from Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca.

But because he has only been seen once since, when a tired fourth behind Osana in the Boylesports.com International in December, he arrives at Cheltenham on Tuesday with it all to prove once again.

"Ever since Sizing Europe won the AIG we´ve hardly had a mention. I can´t understand why some people are so against him," said Carr.

"It´s a big field this year with 17 runners. Most people are expecting Osana to make the running but you can never try and guess what the Pipes are going to do.

"Because everybody thinks they are going to make it (the running), they might just change tactics.

"He?s in the same sort of form as he was last year and Philip (Carberry) has said he has even put on more muscle round his neck and his quarters.

"We couldn´t get any more weight off him, he has done loads of work at home. He was massive the day of the Boylesports compared to the others.

"We took him to Leopardstown last Monday and Philip rode him then.

"We worked him with Kong, who was fourth in the St Leger for John Dunlop - we´ve got him now and he´s going novice hurdling next season.

"He´s a fair horse but Sublimity left him him for dead."

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