Europe looks the businessin fascinating novice chase
It’s a fascinating and hot contest for the time of year, but Henry de Bromhead’s imposing seven-year-old is fancied to come through with flying colours.
Ultimately, he failed to go right to the top as a hurdler, but remains a hugely promising talent and this was always likely to be his true calling.
Sizing Europe made a good start over fences at Punchestown, jumping beautifully on his way to an easy four and a half lengths defeat of Tinakellylad.
The ground was very testing then, but the selection has shown in the past he is capable of handling all surfaces.
The likes of Bobs Pride and Noble Crusader are surely winners in waiting, while Archie Boy bolted in at Cork, a contest which is working out nicely.
The former Galway Hurdle winner Cuan Na Grai is, however, put forward as the main danger to Sizing Europe.
He loves fast ground and was impressive when getting off the mark over fences in style at Killarney.
Charles Byrnes has found a suitable opportunity for Rochester Row in the opening Maiden Hurdle, a contest confined to horses who have never a race.
He has been essentially disappointing and hasn’t been seen since finishing fourth to Alpine Eagle at Thurles back in November.
But this is an especially weak contest and, perhaps, stripping fresh and the far better ground will see Rochester Row in a more favourable light!
Decoy Daddy, runner-up behind Otay Kawn at Kilbeggan, could be the answer to the Abbey Hotel Roscommon Hurdle. This a race, though, in which none of those who will be at the front of the market are to be overly trusted.
