THE 2008 Irish Champion Hurdle winner Sizing Europe brings some big-name flavour to a midweek Punchestown fixture when he makes his debut over fences this evening.
After an interrupted season over hurdles, which ended with a third to Solwhit at the festival here almost three weeks ago, Sizing Europe takes on 17 opponents in today’s two and a half mile Beginners Chase. “After his last run it looks like he might have even improved for it and he hasn’t had a busy season so we’ve decided get him out and give him some experience,” trainer Henry De Bromhead said yesterday. “He has always looked like a chaser and jumps a fence really well. You’re always worried first time but he has been schooling really well,” he added.
Although Sizing Europe has never looked quite the same horse since incurring muscle problems in his back when starting favourite for the 2008 Champion Hurdle, he should be in a different league to this opposition.
The opening conditions chase looks a good opportunity for Salford City on figures but last month’s Perth winner has a distinct preference for quick ground which he won’t get here.
Deutschland was fancied by Ruby Walsh to win a Grade One at the festival here and was ultimately somewhat disappointing behind his stable companion Barker. A close third in the Powers Gold Cup before that was a better effort and crucially Deutschland is versatile in terms of going.
Zaarito fell at the last when challenging Copper Bleu at the festival, giving Barry Geraghty a fall in which he fractured his wrist. Colm Murphy doesn’t waste any time getting the former top bumper performer out again and he can get the better of Noble Prince in the conditions hurdle.
* Punchestown will hold a 10am inspection today to see if this evening’s meeting can go ahead. “The forecast is very unpredictable,” Punchestown manager Richie Galway said. “There are heavy showers about and we are not certain how many are going to land here.”
