| Photo by Richard Thomson – Moore @RichardTMoore |
On what was a chilly November day in County Tipperary, former Champion Chaser Sizing Europe put in a mighty performance to win the Clonmel Oil Chase. Sent off at 1/7 he was backed as if defeat was out of the question. Indeed it most certainly was, as he coasted home twenty lengths clear of Magnamimity after jumping and travelling perfectly throughout. So, where does he go now? I still maintain he would have beaten Finians Rainbow in the 2012 Champion Chase had the last fence not been omitted and I know afterwards the De Bromhead Stable quite rightly felt aggrieved.
The 2013 Champion Chase has the daunting shadow of Sprinter Sacre looming over it, but you cannot rule the winner of the 2010 Arkle and 2011 Champion Chase out if he does turn up in March to try and regain his crown. Granted Sprinter Sacre is a machine but Sizing Europe is proving he is no back number and is still a real force to be reckoned with. Henry De Bromhead maintains that he will only contest three miles on good ground and stated post race; “We are keeping an open mind and that the most important thing is to look after him”.
I would love to see Sizing Europe contest an easy three miles on decent ground in the King George on Boxing Day; he would be absolutely electric around Kempton. Entries for him will include the King George, the Lexus at (3m) along with the Paddy Power Dial A Bet Chase (2m1f). Wherever he goes, you can be sure he will always do his best. This beautiful horse epitomises everything that is great about the winter game.
| Photo by Richard Thomson – Moore @RichardTMoore |
Following on from stablemate Blazing Tempo who recorded victories in the same contest in 2010 and 2011, Tarla was an extremely impressive winner of the Grade Three Mares Chase. The weights were massively in her favour, but to win a hotly contested race of this nature on her first start over fences is some feat. Throughout the whole race she always looked the likely winner. Tarla had spent two years off the track after her win in a Grade Three Hurdle at Punchestown in 2010. Her trainer Willie Mullins has disclosed it will be an anxious wait to see if she is sound in the morning. All being well, she will mix hurdling with chasing this season. Being still only a six year old the possibilities for her are endless, fingers crossed she stays in fine health. Who knows, we could be looking at the next Quevega!
| Photo by Richard Thomson – Moore @RichardTMoore |
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