Racing: Henry De Bromhead has revealed the problem which afflicted Sizing Europe in the Champion Hurdle is not too serious and he may turn out at the Punchestown Festival.
After travelling supremely well throughout, the 2-1 favourite faded very quickly after the second-last flight, with jockey Andrew McNamara reporting he had lost his action.
The problem was found to be with a joint in his back but he will be entered in the ACCBank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown next month.
"We've had a back lady take a look at him and she confirmed that he had a problem with his sacroiliac joint, which is what the racecourse vet told us," said De Bromhead.
"Andrew said he just lost his action at the second last. A few jockeys behind him said he was cantering on his wrong leg.
"There is nothing definite about it all, it is either that or he bled, but it definitely wasn't his true running.
"He didn't break his neck and he didn't break down so we are lucky.
"Alan (Potts, owner) has given me the impression that he would like to jump fences next season but we'll discuss it over the summer, I think he'll love fences.
"Everyone was talking about his jumping before the race but I thought it was absolutely brilliant, he made ground at every hurdle, bar one.
"I'd love to see him over a fence but it's not my decision.
"With regards to the rest of this season I don't think it's a long-term thing, it was just unfortunate that it happened in the middle of a Champion Hurdle.
"He'll certainly have an entry for Punchestown, which is a race I'd love to win, so we'll see how he is," he told At The Races.