Sublimity settles in at Cheltenham

Connections of defending champion Sublimity have no worries regarding the predicted storm at Cheltenham as their pride and joy is already tucked up safely in his stable ahead of the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle.

Some of the Irish contingent are having to make alternative travel plans due to the adverse weather which is expected to hit the British Isles overnight, but John Carr´s stable star made his journey on Saturday.

The eight-year-old produced a minor surprise last year when he left former champions Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca in his slipstream.

But he has only been seen once since, when comprehensively beaten by Osana.

"The horse went over yesterday morning on the ferry and everything went very well," said Carr.

"He ate up everything last night, he was led out this morning and he had a roll in the paddock.

"He travelled over with a horse of Michael Hourigan´s and thankfully we went early enough to avoid the bad weather that is coming."

Last year Sublimity only had one race before the Champion, which came at Navan and saw him score by 20 lengths.

Carr has kept to a similar routine this time.

He said: "We took him to Navan about a month ago for a private gallop. There were eight horses and Sublimity, and some of those were rated over 100 on the Flat and had run over hurdles.

"In the race he had before the Champion last year there were no horses of that calibre yet this year he did exactly the same, sprinted clear at the end of two miles.

"He doesn´t take much racing but if everything goes OK, win, lose or draw this year he´ll run at Punchestown as long as it´s not soft.

"We might also give him a run on the Flat this year as well, we won´t give him such a long break this year either, he was out too long this year.

"The owners aren´t keen on the Flat though, they´ve always wanted jumpers."

David Pipe could not have had a better boost going into the Festival than the one handed to him by Ashkazar in the Imperial Cup on Saturday.

His Osana may have had to give second-best to Sizing Europe in the Greatwood Hurdle back in November but he will be 6lb better off on Tuesday.

"He´s in great form. Tom Scudamore schooled him on Saturday and he jumped nicely, we´re really looking forward to Tuesday," said Pipe.

"It looks an open race, but saying that Sizing Europe looked very impressive last time - if you can take that form literally then he looks the one to beat.

"We do have a form line with him though from the Greatwood. But it was horrendous conditions that day and I´m not sure any horse actually appreciated running that day, those two both went through it though."

The one for each-way money in recent days has been Edward O´Grady´s Catch Me (14s from 16s) and he will now have the assistance of Ruby Walsh as his intended mount De Valira misses the race through injury.

"Some particularly shrewd punters were backing Catch Me this morning and with Ruby Walsh booked he looks certain to start even shorter," said Coral spokesman Simon Clare.