Sizing up for Down Royal challenge
Henry de Bromhead’s Sizing Europe is rising 12 and is looking for his first win in the race having finished second to Kauto Star in 2010 and Quito De La Roque in 2011.
He reappeared earlier this month with a victory at Gowran Park over two and a half miles.
First Lieutenant has also had a run this year with Mouse Morris’ stable star finishing third at Punchestown. He is also entered in the Charlie Hall at Wetherby.
There are Grade One winners elsewhere in the shape of Gordon Elliott’s Mount Benbulben, an impressive winner at the Punchestown Festival, RSA Chase victor Lord Windermere and Colm Murphy’s Quito De La Roque, who will attempt to win the race for a second time.
Paul Nicholls has an enviable record at the meeting and sends over last year’s winner Kauto Stone.
Solid yardsticks Realt Dubh and Roi Du Mee are joined by Willie Mullins’ injury-plagued Prince De Beauchene.
Rolling Aces meanwnile will aim to give Paul Nicholls a sixth successive win in the Powers Irish Whisky Chase, also at Down Royal on Saturday.
Victories for Noland, Herecomesthetruth, The Nightingale, Kauto Stone and Cristal Bonus have seen Nicholls dominate the contest and Rolling Aces has been nominated to continue the sequence.
Heading the home defence are two Cheltenham Festival winners, Tony Martin’s Benefficient and Jim Culloty’s Lord Windermere, who is also entered in the JNwine.com Chase over three miles.
Culloty has also entered Spring Heeled.
Toner D’Oudairies, who beat First Lieutenant earlier this month, could run for Gordon Elliott who has also entered Realt Mor who ran at Naas on Monday, as did Dylan Ross and Oscars Well who are also entered.
Dedigout, Argocat and Richard Lee’s Grey Gold are also among the 15 possibles.
