Sizing Australia seeking further glory

SIZING AUSTRALIA will be seeking further cross-country chase glory following his victory at the Cheltenham Festival last Tuesday.

A return to the Prestbury Park venue is on the cards for the nine-year-old later in the year, but trips to Europe are possible for the Crystal Cup Challenge as well as the Punchestown Festival.

“He’s in great form, it’s a pity there wasn’t another cross-country race for him this week!,” said trainer Henry de Bromhead.

“Punchestown next is probably the plan, but maybe not for the La Touche. He could go for the three-mile-one race. I don’t think he quite got the four miles plus in it last year.

“We’re also looking at a couple of races in the Crystal Cup series in Europe. The cross-country race at Cheltenham in November is in it. There’s one in Belgium and a couple in France and all over Europe.”

Meanwhile, Sublimity could take in a trip to Scotland before the curtain finally comes down on the 11-year-old’s career. Trainer Robbie Hennessy is considering the Scottish Champion Hurdle, a limited handicap, as one of two possible farewell outings for his stable star.

“He might have one or two more runs – we’re thinking about bringing him over for the Scottish Champion Hurdle,” said the Co Meath handler.

A smart performer on the Flat when originally trained in Newmarket by Michael Stoute, the son of Selkirk hit the heights over jumps when winning the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2007 as well as the Grade One Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown in December 2008.