Trainer Henry de Bromhead described Sizing Europe (8/13 Fav) as “the horse of a lifetime” after the 10-year-old battled gamely to hold off Realt Dubh and win today's feature Grade 1 Boylesports.com Champion Chase.
“That was super. Everything went to plan although on that ground you are leaving yourself out to be shot at in front and it was looking a bit uncomfortable for a while,” said de Bromhead. “He was possibly getting tired at the end of the race but Realt Dubh is a good horse, especially on this ground. My horse has jumped great and obviously he is not going to jump with the same exuberance as he does on the better ground, but he has got the job done and I'm delighted. He's a horse of a lifetime and I'm lucky to have him.”
Sizing Europe won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham in 2010 and 2011 and some felt he was an unlucky loser this year when losing momentum after having to bypass the final fence. Boylesports rate him a 6/1 chance to win the Cheltenham race again in 2013.
“I'm not looking back at Cheltenham now, I'm just savouring today,” added de Bromhead. “But fair play to Finian's Rainbow who looked impressive when franking the form at Aintree.
“I'm not sure about his plans for next season. I'm just going to enjoy today and then talk to Alan and Ann (Potts) and we will mull it over. He will be 11 this time next year so he is getting that bit older and might need a step up. I wouldn't be opposed to the idea of running him over three miles.”
Jockey Andrew Lynch added: “I'm delighted for the horse. He's a master of arts, pulled out all the stops and deserved this. He was unlucky not to win this last year and it's nice to get a Grade 1 victory here.
“Cheltenham was one of those things last time and there is no point going on about it. I leave the future plans to Henry and Alan but the horse stay although I'm not sure he'd want to go over three miles on that ground.”
Owner Alan Potts added: “They are a great team - both Henry and Andrew, who always gives the horse a great ride. We might have a little celebration tonight - maybe a quiet drink and a game of dominoes!”
SOME ARTICLE MAKES SPARKLING DEBUT
Trainer Tom Mullins, successful earlier with Alderwood, completed a 58.5/1 double when Some Article (16/1) made an impressive winning debut in the €100,000 Goffs Land Rover Bumper.
“I always thought a lot of him but I thought he was still a baby and he was babyish today,” said Mullins. “His class won it for him today as he will come on a lot mentally. There is also a lot of strength to come through physically and he did it the hard way today.”
SIR DES CHAMPS LANDS EVENTFUL GROWISE NOVICE CHASE
The brilliant Sir Des Champs survived a last fence mistake to justify 2/7 favouritism in an eventful Grade 1 Growise Novice Chase that also saw both Frisco Depot and Mossey Joe go down at the same obstacle.
“We were obviously very lucky at the last but otherwise he did what we hoped,” said trainer Willie Mullins. “We knew there would be no pace and he'd schooled well in front here in October so Davy (Russell) said he'd go on.
“We didn't learn anything today except the fact he did it over three miles. Davy thought he was just lazy and always had plenty in reserve, he was just cantering.
“He is a very relaxed horse and I think that will be a big help to him in his future career. We could maybe start him off here in the John Durkan Chase next season but I haven't really thought about it too much.”
