Jockey Philip Carberry is hoping that Sublimity can reclaim his place at the top of the hurdle division with a victory in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

After a surprise victory in the race in 2007, Sublimity had suffered from a loss of form, prompting connections to carry out a wind operation on the superstar.  Now Carberry has witnessed the horse return to something like his best, and after finishing second behind Go Native in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle and after chasing Solwhit home in the Leopardstown Golf Centre December Festival Hurdle, the jockey is hoping he can taste more Cheltenham glory.

"I was delighted with him at Leopardstown where I'd say the ground just took a bit of the sting out of him," the jockey explained.

"He came out of his race well and if we get some nice ground at Cheltenham we'd hope for a good run. We still feel we have a chance of regaining the crown.

"We've been happier with him this season than for a long time. Since he's had his wind operation he's been very happy and well in himself. He has no obstacles in his way, he was just having a problem breathing mid-race. That's gone now and he seems to be a lot more consistent."