Sizing Europe smashes Champion rival Big Zeb

Report: Punchestown, Sunday

Boylesports.com Tied Cottage Chase (Grade 2) 2m, 5yo+

AFTER Hurricane Fly and Big Buck's last weekend, Sizing Europe became the latest Cheltenham Festival champion to throw down the gauntlet to his rivals, taking 15 lengths out of main market rival Big Zeb in an impressive performance that oozed class.

The two Irish chasers dominate the betting for this year's renewal of a race they have won between them for the last two years but it was the more recent winner, Sizing Europe, who prevailed as both horses had their final runs before the festival.

William Hill reacted by slashing him to 6-4 to win for the third successive year at Cheltenham. With his love of the track, a distinct lack of credible opposition and his 15-length destruction of the only horse many thought could trouble him, Betfred were far more worried, going as short as evens about the Henry de Bromhead-trained ten-year-old.

Andrew Lynch set a stronger pace than expected for what was effectively a two runnerrace, taking things up from Imperial Shabra at the second when Sizing Europe jumped his way two the front.

The winner of 11 Grade 1s between them, Sizing Europe and Big Zeb tracked around together rarely more than a length or two apart, and while neither jumped with the same zest as they have on better ground, Sizing Europe fared better with Big Zeb jumping slightly left throughout the early stages.

Turning for home Lynch began to ask Sizing Europe to quicken and the response was imperious, instantly leaving Big Zeb toiling and powering clear on heavy ground that was softer than ideal for either runner.

Lynch said: "He's done it well. He's got a big stride on him but the ground was a little bit tacky for him. He should improve a bit - he hasn't run since the Tingle Creek," while De Bromhead added: "That was a savage performance, it's all systems go now for Cheltenham.

A disappointed Colm Murphy said: "They went a proper gallop on heavy testing ground, hopefully we'll be better for it. We never knew he'd go on testing ground, that was always a worry."