Sizing on course for title defence
Henry de Bromhead’s venerable 11-year-old defeated Rubi Light by two and a half lengths last Christmas and Robbie Hennessy’s stable star could again be in opposition.
De Bromhead, who has also given entries to Days Hotel and Special Tiara, said: “Sizing Europe will go to Leopardstown for the Dial-A-Bet Chase and after that, depending on how things go, we’ll end up running him in either the Ryanair or the Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
“The ground was a shade soft for him at Down Royal but he has come out that race fine and he’ll head on now to Leopardstown.
“I’d imagine that we’ll now keep him to two, two and a half miles. He has been an incredible horse for us.”
Shark Hanlon is to bring Hidden Cyclone back in distance following his fine effort in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, where he was third behind Johns Spirit.
“We are going to drop him back in trip and he’ll run next in the Dial-A-Bet Chase at Christmas,” said the County Carlow trainer.
“He pulled so hard the last day at Cheltenham that we felt on soft ground that he’d be better off bowling along and let him use his stride.
“I think he’ll be better again in a race with loads of pace.”
Willie Mullins holds a strong hand with Arvika Ligeonniere and Twinlight heading his four entries for the two-mile-one-furlong Grade One.
