Racing: Sublimity will miss the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle because of the prospect of testing conditions at Leopardstown on Sunday.
Trainer John Carr made the decision after a representative of his yard walked the course on his behalf.
"We're not going to run on Sunday," revealed Carr. "The plan was the Boylesports, the AIG and the Champion, but the ground's too heavy everywhere.
"There's only six weeks until the Champion Hurdle after Sunday's race. We didn't want to bottom him out and give him a hard race.
"I've spoken to the owners and we've decided against the AIG. It's straight to Cheltenham now. He's actually more forward and fitter than he was this time last year.
"He only had his first run this week last year at Navan. We're happy enough with him. Everything, touch-wood, is fine. If nothing goes wrong with him in the meantime we're well ahead of schedule, fitness-wise."
Sublimity, who was fourth to Osana on his reappearance last month, is favourite at around 4-1 to defend his Cheltenham crown on March 11th.
Hardy Eustace is pleasing connections ahead of his bid to land back-to-back victories in the Grade One at the weekend.
The dual Champion Hurdle hero made it third-time lucky at the Dublin track 12 months ago with a three-length call over Brave Inca.
The 11-year-old has shown he still retains plenty of ability.
After being campaigned over further, he only went down by a neck to Al Eile in the December Festival Hurdle back over this course and distance on his latest outing.
"He's very good. He worked well this morning. He's fine and ready for it," said trainer Dessie Hughes.