Sizing Europe triumphs in Queen Mother Chase

Sizing Europe turned in an ultra-game performance to claim the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

Henry de Bromhead’s 10-1 shot, last year’s Arkle winner, led a long way out for Andrew Lynch and battled on bravely to hold the title holder Big Zeb (3-1).

Captain Cee Bee was third and Golden Silver next as the Irish filled the first four places.

Dual winner Master Minded lost any chance with a bad mistake at the second-last and he was eased afterwards by Ruby Walsh.

Lynch said: "I'm delighted and the horse jumped an awful lot better today.

“He travelled really well and I was afraid something might just quicken past me up the straight, but he’s a hardy boy.

“Henry always said he wanted a strongly-run, two-mile race, and this is the only race all year that suits him.”