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Sizing Europe a shock omission from December Hurdle

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Irish hurdler last traded at 3.35 for Saturday's Grade 1 contest

Sizing Europe, the fourth favourite for the Champion Hurdle at [10.5] on Betfair, was a surprise withdrawal at the overnight stage for tomorrow's December Hurdle at Leopardstown.

He was trading at [3.35] on Betfair for tomorrow's Grade 1 contest, with plenty of orders up to back to him at bigger odds, when the ante-post market was suspended at 10am this morning - so the fact that he wasn't entered took everyone by surprise.

Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin commented: "The news took punters completely unawares.

"The last priced matched on Sizing Europe this morning was at 3.35, with orders up looking to back him at 3.6 and bigger. The highest price he was backed at was 6.8 when the market first opened on December 6th, and the lowest 2.82 on December 22nd.

"It was great news for his layers, but obviously not so welcome for his backers.

"And Aitmatov's non-appearance is another surprise, too, as punters were trying to back him at 6 when the market was suspended this morning."