CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL: BRIAN O'CONNORsays the curious demands of racing two miles around Cheltenham's fences on decent ground might make underestimating the former top hurdler a dangerous pastime

THE POPULAR image of two- mile chase specialists is that they are jump racing’s sprinters, all speed and dash with that hint of hair-trigger temperament that can see them explode into action at any time. In reality, though, it is often much less straightforward than that.

What many trainers find at home is that the most effective two-milers are often the ones struggling to keep up in their work. Even horses that race over longer distances manage to gallop much faster at exercise. However what the two-milers really do quicker is jump. And that’s what Henry De Bromhead is banking on today.

Sizing Europe is back at the scene of his greatest triumph in last year’s Arkle. Winless this season and shuffled back to the minimum distance after spending much of the season having his stamina stretched to three miles, his pre-race role is very much that of a supporting act behind the main players, Big Zeb and Master Minded.

But the curious demands of racing two miles around Cheltenham’s fences on decent ground might make underestimating the former top hurdler a dangerous pastime. Just don’t expect Sizing Europe to do anything too quickly away from the fences.

“He is definitely not a lightning fast horse at home,” De Bromhead admits without the slightest concern. “In fact I was talking recently to someone who used to work for David Nicholson and he told me Viking Flagship (champion in 1994 and 1995) was very similar. It seems to be quite common in two-mile chasers.”

Put fences in front of them and it is a different story, as De Bromhead found out last week.

“I worked him with a good, fast horse and they jumped five fences. I’ve never seen anything like it. He just loved it. He loves jumping fast,” says the Co Waterford-based trainer, giving the impression he looked at the session through his fingers.

That’s what the best two-milers can do: make you slightly queasy at what might happen if it goes wrong while at the same time getting the blood running at the sheer bravado of it all.

Going into today’s clash with Big Zeb, Master Minded et al, there remains a nagging suspicion among many about whether Sizing Europe is a genuine top-class two-miler or a horse cursed by versatility to be a jack of many trades without quite being a master of any.

Only snow prevented him lining up in the King George at Christmas. Before that he had stayed on well enough over three miles on soft ground at Down Royal that only Kauto Star got the better of him. And when he returned to the minimum trip at Punchestown at the end of January, both Big Zeb and Golden Silver looked simply too quick for the handsome nine-year-old.

De Bromhead though is confident Cheltenham in March will be a very different story to Punchestown in January.

“He loves good ground and he jumps so much better out of it,” he argues. “I’m happy he is back at two miles.

“I wouldn’t discount trying three miles with him again. He is very good over whatever distance. But he was jumping a little deliberately at the slower pace over three miles. And he loves jumping at pace.”

The trainer is also not confining himself to worrying about the two former champions today. For De Bromhead it is a championship race and everything’s a danger.

He recalls a Morgiana Hurdle billed as a head-to-head between Sizing Europe and Jered and the veteran Hardy Eustace mugged the pair of them. For him, today’s race is all about Sizing Europe doing what he does best.

The impact that can make at the festival was advertised last year when the Irish star got the better of Somersby in a thrilling finish that sealed Cheltenham’s place in De Bromhead’s heart.

“Winning here gives people confidence in you, but it also gives you confidence in yourself; that you can get the job done,” he says.

What might pay to remember today is that being good at one job doesn’t preclude similar competence at another.

Edredon Bleu won a Champion Chase at two miles and then a King George at three.

Sizing Europe has yet to win either, but might start today.

Brian’s Daily Picks

1.30pm Alfa Beat

2.05pm Oscars Well

2.40pm Wymott

3.20pm Big Zeb

4.00pm For Non Stop

4.40pm Whitby Jack

5.15pm Raise The Beat(nap)

Nap and Double

Raise The Beat & Oscars Well