CHELTENHAM NEWS:HENRY DE BROMHEAD is delighted to have secured the services of Denis O'Regan to ride Sizing Europe in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday week.

The seven-year-old proved a bitter disappointment when sent off favourite for the hurdling showpiece last season.

He also failed to fire in the December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown after an encouraging comeback at Punchestown.

Regular jockey Andrew McNamara is set to ride last year’s runner-up Osana in the Champion Hurdle but De Bromhead believes O’Regan will prove an able substitute, having twice before won on the horse.

“We’re delighted to have got Denis booked to ride him and he would know him as well as anyone as he has ridden him four times and won on him twice,” said the Co Waterford handler.

“The horse seems in great form and we’re happy with him. I hope he will run a big race on the day or I wouldn’t be taking him over.

“You would have to be very impressed with what Binocular has done this season and all the horses are there to beat. I don’t think our horse will be having a racecourse gallop so we will just give him a couple of spins at home and keep him ticking over.

“All being well, he will then travel over to England next weekend.”

Paul Nolan believes Shinrock Paddy’s victory at Cheltenham last November will stand him in good stead when he returns to the track for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper on Wednesday week.

The five-year-old is unbeaten in three starts under Rules and has been off the track since winning by eight lengths at the Paddy Power meeting in the hands of owner-jockey Barry Connell.

“We’re certainly looking forward to the race and he seems to be in good shape at home,” said Nolan.