O'Grady plots Europe coup

Edward O'Grady is under no illusions about the challenge he faces when he sends Osana out to take on Sizing Europe at Leopardstown on Saturday.

O'Grady's 2008 Champion Hurdle runner-up will go head to head with the current Arkle favourite in the Bord na Mona - with Nature Novice Steeplechase on Boxing Day.

The pair are set to be joined by Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Captain Cee Bee and possibly Willie Mullins' Sports Line in a competitive renewal of the 2m contest.

And O'Grady believes the winner will deservedly be installed as favourite for the novice chasers' showpiece at Cheltenham in March.

"I think whichever horse wins, be it Captain Cee Bee, be it mine, be it Sizing Europe or one of Willie Mullins' or something else, they will justifiably be made favourite for the Arkle," he said.

The seven-year-old was switched to O'Grady from David Pipe's yard last spring by owner Thomas Barr.

Boosted

Since the move the gelding's win on his chasing debut has been boosted by the subsequent success of runner-up Roberto Goldback but O'Grady is not getting carried away.

"It's always nice to get your form franked," he continued. "But I have little doubt that on the bare bones of the form at the moment, Sizing Europe is the best horse around.

"Having said that, we're going to take him on and I think it will be a very good renewal of the two-mile novice chase."

Meanwhile, stablemate Catch Me is set to make a return to fences in the Knight Frank Novice Chase on Monday's card after disappointing over hurdles.

O'Grady believes the rescheduling of the Hatton's Grace Hurdle took the edge of his charge and will now send the seven-year-old back over the larger obstacles.

The race will be the third outing over fences for Catch Me, who won on his debut before falling with a Listed event at Navan seemingly in the bag.

"He won four out of five last year and is terribly unlucky not to have won two out of two chases this year," said the trainer.

Excellent

"I was pleased to be able to get a run into him over hurdles in the Hatton's Grace but things didn't go right for my horses that day.

"I had them particularly right to run on the Sunday and they had done their smart work on Saturday.

"Then we virtually had them shipped as far as the racecourse before we found out it was called off.

"When we brought them back on the Wednesday I don't think the horses were the same horses.

"It was like trying to boil the kettle for a second time in a short space of time and they were just a bit flat.

"He's in excellent form now and the plan is for him to go to Leopardstown for Knight Frank Novice Chase.

"He's schooled well since Fairyhouse, so we'll take on Pandorama."