Sizing Europe makes the most of a Mad Max blunder at the second-last 

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/racingpostpix.com  

Sizing Europe shines in vintage Arkle Chase

Report: Cheltenham, Tuesday

Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (Grade 1) 2m, 5yo+

SIZING EUROPE put in some spectacular leaps on his way to a 6-1 victory in the Arkle Chase.

Always travellingwell, Sizing Europe took a clear lead at the second-last and was always holding the staying-on Somersby close home.

Unlike the opening contest, the Arkle was run at a decent clip thanks to Sports Line and Mad Max. The strong pace soon had Riverside Theatre and the well-backed 5-2 favourite Captain Cee Bee, whose jumping was less than fluent, in trouble.

A mistake from Sports Line down the back left Mad Max in a clear lead until the second-last. At that stage, Andrew Lynch allowed Sizing Europe to move upsides and as Mad Max blundered that obstacle, the winner was left in a clear lead.

A decent leap at the last sealed a brilliant victory and, despite idling close home, Sizing Europe was good value for his three-quarters of a length victory.

The disappointing Captain Cee Bee was found to have broken a blood vessel.

A delighted Andrew Lynch, said: "He was a bit keen early on so I tried to steady him down the back and he locked on to them. He hit the front a bit too early but I just had to let him go."

Winning trainer Henry De Bromhead said: "It's phenomenal and this is going to take some time to sink in. It's fantastic.

Jockey Andrew Lynch gave Sizing Europe a confident ride

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker  

"I don't know if what happened two years ago haunted me, but we learnt a lot from it and he came back stronger and better.

"We learnt how to manage him properly. We left no stone unturned two years ago but now we leave no pebble unturned.

"I'm never confident. This was his third year coming and we've had two disappointing years, so I just wanted him to show the true him.

"I was in a bit of a haze this day two years ago. It was disappointment but you get over it.

"Of course it irks me that people have knocked him. He's like one of our children and he's been phenomenal for us. He has put us on the map and has been an unbelievable horse.

"He has a win strike rate of over 50 per cent and he's been savage for us. There has always been a valid reason for his disappointing runs so we never questioned him.

"We'll celebrate tonight. The plan was always Punchestown so we'll aim towards there. I think Ann and Alan would love try him over further after that, but I don't know what we'll do."

Henrietta Knight, trainer of runner-up Somersby, said: "He ran a smashing race, a tremendous race. It was a terrific effort in only his third chase.

"The winner has run in the Champion Hurdle and there was no disgrace in that. He got slightly close to one of the open ditches but otherwise he was very good. We will go back and think about whether to run him again but he might be going into the field.

"He is very exciting for the future and I think we might campaign him with the Gold Cup in mind."

William Hill make Sizing Europe a 6-1 shot for Champion Chase honours next year.

GET AN ADVANTAGE AT CHELTENHAM: For the benefits of Members' Club Ultimate during festival week, buy your pass NOW