RACING: Sizing Europe is "under veterinary examination" and will miss Sunday's Toshiba Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
Henry de Bromhead's seven-year-old won last year's race in devastating fashion and was consequently sent off the 2-1 favourite for the Cheltenham equivalent.
He dropped out tamely on the turn for home that day and was reported to have been suffering with a back injury.
Having made a pleasing comeback behind Hardy Eustace in the Morgiana Hurdle, Sizing Europe could finish only fifth at Leopardstown over Christmas on his last start.
"He's definitely a non-runner on Sunday," said De Bromhead. "He's under veterinary examination and I'm just not happy with him.
"I'm not prepared to say anything else at this stage, we'll just have to see."