Europe prepares perfectly for Queen Mother Chase

Sizing Europe enjoyed the perfect dress-rehearsal for the 2012 Queen Mother Champion Chase when slamming his old adversary, Big Zeb, in the Boylesports.com Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown last Sunday.
The pair have clashed on a regular basis over the past few years, but on Sunday there was no denying that 9/10 favourite Sizing Europe had the edge when putting up a first-class display.
Meath jockey Andrew Lynch, whose fortunes have really taken a turn for the better over the past 12 months, sent the Ann and Alan Potts-owned Sizing Europe to the front at the second last and this Grade 2 contest was over in a matter of strides at the 10-year-old quickly opened up and scooted all of 15 lengths clear of the toiling Big Zeb. No-hoper Imperial Shabra went around in his own time to complete the placings a further 57 lengths in rear.
Sunday’s effort was just the job for Sizing Europe who now heads to next month’s Cheltenham Festival in tip-top shape.  Last year he finished third to Big Zeb in this particular race before gaining his revenge in the Queen Mother at the festival and back-to-back victories for Henry De Bromhead’s star two-miler is now a distinct possibility.
De Bromhead was clearly impressed with Sunday’s win. He said, “That was a savage performance. He seems a much stronger horse this year and I was a little worried that he was so on his toes in the parade ring before the race. He probably didn’t jump as fluently as he can, but he doesn’t like jumping out of that heavy ground.”
Confirming future plans for Sizing Europe, the Waterford handler continued, “He’ll head straight to Cheltenham now as he did last year and the better ground there will be right up his street. It has taken me six years to get the confidence to let this horse roll along. Today I told Andrew to go out and enjoy himself and let the horse do the same.”
Big Zeb, who won the 2010 Champion Chase, was disappointing; a fact confirmed by his trainer Colm Murphy.
“I am disappointed, but not surprised,” said the Gorey handler. “Robbie (Power) said he just didn’t handle the ground and was struggling even going to the first fence. He never travelled in his usual way and didn’t jump either on that heavy ground. It was horrible out there.”
Sizing Europe and Big Zeb will clash again in the upcoming Queen Mother and Murphy, who reports his impressive mare Voler Le Vedette on course for Cheltenham despite her defeat to Zaidpour at Gowran recently, is hoping that the change of scenery and going will tip the balance in favour of Big Zeb.
“I just hope he’ll be okay after this slogging match. We’ll take him home and freshen him up and head for the festival. I’m looking forward to meeting the winner again and it should be a cracking race.”
Elsewhere on the card at the Kildare track, another Cheltenham contender emerged in the shape of Charles Byrnes’ 7/4 favourite Trifolium, who dotted-up in the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle.
Yet another high-profile Gigginstown House runner, Trifolium was confidently ridden by Davy Russell who eased the five-year-old into the lead at the third last and the combination pulled effortlessly clear to beat the Ruby Walsh-ridden Simenon by nine lengths.
Bookmaking firms across the board were impressed with the winner, who is now as low as 14/1 with some firms for the Supreme Novices, which Byrnes indicated afterwards is most likely to be his Cheltenham target.
Willie Mullins, who achieved his fastest ever century of winners in a season when Soll scored over fences at Down Royal the previous Wednesday, continues to churn out the winners and his Scotsirish came home best to land the Cross-Country Chase under his son Patrick Mullins.
A top chaser in his own right, Scotsirish looked in trouble for a while in the latter stages of this unique three-mile event, but he found reserves when needed to beat the Nina Carberry-ridden Garde Champetre by two lengths.
Mullins, whose Allure Of Illusion had dead-heated with King Vuvuzela in the opening maiden hurdle, indicated that Scotsirish and stable companion Uncle Junior are now likely to head across the water for the cross-country race at Cheltenham.

Competitive Hennessy in store at Leopardstown

Sunday’s card at Leopardstown features the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup where Jonjo O’Neill’s Synchronised may bid to follow up his course and win in the Lexus Chase over Christmas.
A final decision on the JP McManus-owned nine-year-old will not be made until later in the week with the bad weather across channel reportedly holding up his trainer’s bid to finalise plans as his Jackdaw’s Castle establishment is currently hit with frost and snow.
Ten horses stood their ground for this Grade 1 three-mile, €160,000 contest at forfeit stage on Tuesday with Willie Mullins’ sole entry, Quel Esprit, the one that punters have latched onto.
Mullins expressed himself ‘delighted’ with a piece of work the eight-year-old, who won the Phil Sweeney Chase at Thurles impressively in early January, did at Punchestown recently and this led to a deluge of money for the Red Barn Syndicate-owned chaser who will be ridden by champion jockey Ruby Walsh.
The opposition looks likely to include Gordon Elliott’s Jessie’s Dream, who is considered Cheltenham Gold Cup material by his Meath trainer.
Racing in the silks of top UK owner David Johnson, Jessie’s Dream enjoyed a fine novice career and, while he hasn’t been seen in public since he was beaten a neck by Boston’s Angel in last year’s RSA Chase at Cheltenham,  this will tell us whether he can mix it with the ‘big boys’ or not.
Boston’s Angel is also listed for duty and Jessica Harrington’s son of Winged Love is no mean performer on his day. Quito De La Roque looked progressive when landing the JN Wine.com Chase at Down Royal back in autumn and he will be there or thereabouts while Dessie Hughes is double-handed with Magnanimity and Roberta Goldback. Tom Taffee’s former Munster National winner Treacle, China Rock from the Mouse Morris yard and Oliver McKiernan’s Follow The Plan complete what looks a formidable field. 
Meanwhile, supporters of Long Run will be hoping Saturday’s meeting at Newbury – where last year’s Gold Cup winner is due to run in the Betfair Denman Chase – survives the  cold snap in the UK at present.
Nicky Henderson’s charge looked to have the world at his feet when triumphing in the Blue Riband at Prestbury Park last spring, but he’s come off second best in his two clashes with the rejuvenated Kauto Star this season so far.
A good display by Long Run on Saturday would set Sam Waley-Cohen’s up nicely for his much expected showdown with Kauto Star in this year’s Gold Cup on March 16. That is very much in the lap of the Gods at the moment with the weather forcing the cancellation of so many meetings in Britain just now.