Europe Team Look Ahead

Henry de Bromhead was unsurprisingly buoyed by Osana's impressive success in the Boylesports.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The County Waterford-based handler saddled Sizing Europe to get the better of David Pipe's youngster in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle last month.

And while a host of Champion Hurdle protagonists battled it out at Prestbury Park on Saturday, de Bromhead saw his five-year-old's prospects boosted while he remained safely in his stable.

Of Sizing Europe, who has an upcoming engagement at Leopardstown, de Bromhead said: 'He seems in great form at the moment so hopefully he'll make it to the Festival Hurdle (December 29).

'I'm really pleased with him and it was good to see Osana run so well at Cheltenham yesterday. There was definitely a smile on my face after I saw that.

'He did give us 6lbs in the Greatwood, but it's still very encouraging and he was impressive there.

'We're chipping away grand with him at the moment but we'll bide our time and take things one step at a time.'

(C) PA Sport