Sizing Europe sets standard
I became a big fan of the horse at Punchestown as far back as the middle of October. That day, he fell two out, when travelling like a winner, in a Listed hurdle eventually won in a canter by Aitmatov.
When Sizing Europe then went to Cheltenham in November, and won the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle by four lengths, it seemed to confirm everything we had felt about him after Punchestown.
Henry de Bromhead’s gelding beat Osana at Cheltenham and he went on to bolt in next time. The little doubts began to emerge, however, when the third and fourth respectively, Chivalry and Trouble At Bay, both performed dismally subsequently.
Add in that the handicapper rated Sizing Europe a massive 19lbs below Hardy Eustace and there was further cause for concern.
I finally bought into the apparent evidence, took the safe option and put Hardy Eustace up as the likely winner.
Sometimes, one really have to ignore what the form book is screaming at you and just go with your gut instinct.
The six-year-old showed us at Leopardstown just what he really is-the proverbial horse and a half.
He has to be a bit special. Sizing Europe certainly never settled in the first half of the contest and raced wide for much of the journey.
When horses don’t settle and are so full of themselves through a race, they rarely find anything at the business end.
I have to say I was waiting for him to cut out and watched astonished as he simply grew stronger and stronger.
He already jumps like a chaser and has a powerful stride. There is no reason to suspect the form is less than reliable.
Hardy Eustace and Al Eile are clearly far from potential Champion Hurdle winners, but are two pretty fair yardsticks all the same.
Elsewhere at Leopardstown, I thought Siegemaster produced a performance rich in promise in the Grade 2 hurdle won by Liskennet.
A useful horse prior to Leopardstown, he was stepping up in class and appeared to have it all to do.
But nothing could have been further from the truth and you would have to say he was a slightly, if that’s not too much of an understatement, unlucky loser.
He didn’t enjoy the run of the race and was locked away at a vital stage up the straight. You’d have to think he’s a winner waiting to happen.
* NOEL MEADE would be entitled to be absolutely tearing his hair out right now. He’s the leading trainer in the country and, yet, cannot get anywhere near finding a winner.
Meade hasn’t enjoyed a success since Well Run scored at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day. In this talented trainer’s world that’s an eternity.
It was almost sad to see the likes of his Aitmatov and Gem Daly, two very talented horses, performing like hairy-goats at Leopardstown!
And that has been the case for weeks now for Meade’s charges. They can find nothing wrong with the horses, they are reported to be eating well and working great. But, inexplicably, when they get out onto the track, they can hardly put one leg in front of the other. It’s a mystery which, probably, only time can solve.
* IT was most encouraging to note the recent comments of Denis Brosnan, Chairman of Horse Racing Ireland.
Brosnan said: “Ireland must have at least one other all-weather racecourse, as well as a premier National Hunt course in Munster that can race throughout the winter months.”
It’s the National Hunt course in Munster which would exercise most of our minds. Hopefully, if it does come on stream, this will be in addition to Thurles and not in place of it. Otherwise, it will continue to be uphill all the way for the National Hunt fraternity.
* CHELTENHAM preview nights will soon be in full swing and a date for the diary is February 28 at the Woodlands Hotel in Waterford City, starting at 8pm.
For €20, all proceeds to St Patrick’s Hospital, Waterford, you will hear the views of John Francome, Mike Cattermole, Davy Russell, Noel O’Brien (handicapper), Justin Carty (betchronicle.com), Noel Cummins (bookmaker) and Henry de Bromhead.
If you want a ticket give Sean Carey a ring at 087 2576703 and, as it’s such a good cause, I may as well go along as well and contribute to the waffling! The intrepid Brian Gleeson will be running the show.
