Sizing Europe on course to defend two-mile crown after dismissing Big Zeb
Sent to the front at the second by Andrew Lynch, Sizing Europe had Big Zeb beaten after the second last fence and stayed on strongly to triumph by fifteen lengths with no-hoper Imperial Shabra fifty-seven lengths away last of the three runners.
Sizing Europe jumped fluently, with the exception of the sixth, and is now a best-priced 6/4 favourite (from 2) with Ladbrokes to win a second Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on March 14. Both Boylsports and Stan James offer 5/4 while Paddy Power go only 11/10 about the ten-year-old retaining his championship title.
“I’m delighted and so is Andrew,” said winning trainer Henry de Bromhead, “He didn’t jump as well as usual, but he doesn’t like jumping out of that ground. He got in close and popped a few and didn’t let fly as he usually does.”
He added: “It was a savage performance and he’ll head straight for Cheltenham, as he did last year, after finishing third in this race. He seems a stronger horse this year and I was a little worried that he was so full of himself down in the stable yard beforehand.”
Discussing tactics for the ten-year-old, which carries the colours of Alan and Ann Potts, de Bromhead commented: “It has taken me six years to get the confidence to let him roll, along. Today, I just told Andrew to go out and enjoy himself and let the horse do the same.”
Big Zeb, winner of the 2010 Champion Chase, was visibly struggling going to the second and, having chased the winner all the way, was spent force and weakened going to the last.
Trainer Colm Murphy admitted: “I’m disappointed, but not surprised. Robbie said he was struggling going to the first. He never travelled or jumped and never has in that heavy ground. It’s horrible out there.
“I just hope he’s okay in the morning. We’ll freshen him up and head for Cheltenham again.”
