SIZING EUROPE will miss the rearranged William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on Saturday. Connections of the 2010 Arkle Trophy winner have decided against sending the nine-year-old over to England for the second time in three weeks after making a wasted journey for the abandoned Christmas meeting.
Instead, trainer Henry de Bromhead will attempt to give Sizing Europe a run before Cheltenham nearer home. “After careful consideration we’ve decided to bypass the rearranged King George this Saturday with Sizing Europe,” he said yesterday.
“He’s in great form at home so what we’ll do now is sit down and look at our options here over the next three to four weeks with a view to a run prior to the Festival in March.”
Sizing Europe put up a pleasing effort over three miles when second to Kauto Star in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal in November, and his conqueror is seeking a record fifth successive victory in Kempton’s feature.
The three-week delay and the forecast softer ground conditions will play to Kauto Star’s strengths, according to his trainer Paul Nicholls. “Obviously the race being delayed is a setback, different horses will be different. It doesn’t appear to have made any difference to Kauto Star because he likes to be really fresh.”
