HENRY de Bromhead is confident Sizing Europe is over his problems ahead of his reappearance in the Maplewood Developments Hurdle at Punchestown on Sunday.
The six-year-old demolished his rivals in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle in January and all appeared to be going according to plan in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham before he stopped quickly after jumping the second-last.
"He was lame behind the day after the Champion Hurdle and we found that he had just strained the sacroiliac joint," De Bromhead said.
"He is filling out all the time and he is certainly a bigger and stronger horse this season.
"Andrew McNamara was down schooling (on Tuesday morning) and seemed pleased with him, so he will certainly keep the ride for Sunday's race - but I do think the horse will come on a lot for the run."
Sizing Europe will face a maximum of five rivals at the weekend, with Cuan Na Grai, Hardy Eustace and Won In The Dark standing their ground at the confirmation stage.
Noel Meade has left in Jered and Harchibald, although the former looks the more likely contender at this stage."The way the weather is going, I would say Harchibald is most unlikely to run," said Meade.
De Bromhead confident Sizing Europe over injury
GRADE ONE-winning novice hurdler Muirhead could make his return to action in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on November 30th.
The five-year-old won the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at the same meeting 12 months ago and was sent off the 8 to 1 co-favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
He failed to make an impact in that contest, but Noel Meade is hopeful he can bounce back in the coming months. "Muirhead is fine and he is in the Hatton's Grace so we will have a good look at that," said Meade.
"I'm not sure we'll have time to get a run into him beforehand but I would say it is likely he will head to Fairyhouse."
The Co Meath trainer also had news of another forgotten horse in Nicanor, who has been off the track since April 2006 due to injury.
The seven-year-old is still the only horse to have beaten Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Denman.
"Nicanor has just slowed up on me again but I don't think it will be too long before he is running," Meade continued.
"Hopefully we will get him out around Christmas time and we will see how we go."
Meanwhile, Davy Fitzgerald could run Mister Top Notch and Operation Houdini in the totesport.com Becher Chase at Aintree on Sunday week. Mister Top Notch has made a bright start to the campaign, finishing second to Dear Villez in the Munster National at Limerick last month.
Operation Houdini was first past the post in the Cork National earlier this month - only to be demoted to second place following a stewards' inquiry.
Fitzgerald said: "We will be making an entry for both Mister Top Notch and Operation Houdini in the Becher Chase and the race is under serious consideration for both horses."
English Grand National runner-up King Johns Castle has been ruled out for the season due to injury. The Arthur Moore-trained grey found only Comply Or Die too strong in the Aintree feature in April but will not bid to go one better next year.
Frank Berry, racing manager for owner JP McManus, said: "King Johns Castle has had a setback and unfortunately he is out for the season.
Obviously it's disappointing as we were looking forward to going back to Aintree next year.
"But he has got a tendon injury and will need some time off. Hopefully we will have him back ready to go again the following season."
Jockey Sam Thomas is expecting to return to the saddle tomorrow after undergoing a concussion test following his fall at Chepstow last Wednesday.
The Gold Cup-winning rider was knocked out after his mount, Naxox, came to grief in an extended two-mile chase. Thomas is now awaiting test results before he is given the go-ahead to return.
