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Tied Cottage Chase 2013 |
Sizing Europe Imperious in Tied Cottage Chase
03/02/13
1 Sizing Europe 1/8F
2 Foildubh 9/1
3 Blazing Tempo 7/1
5 ran Distances: 10l, 13l, 35l
TIME 4m 27.10s (slow by 27.10s)
Sizing Europe remained unbeaten for the season following a straightforward victory under Andrew Lynch. It was a second consecutive win in the Tied Cottage for Henry de Bromhead's chaser and the 11-year-old demonstrated that he still has plenty to offer in whichever Cheltenham Festival race connections opt for.
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With only five runners, Sizing Europe was 1-8 for victory, and Lynch jumped off in front, a position he would never relinquish. Foildubh did his best to keep the winner honest, but never landed a blow in second at 9-1.
The outcome was never in any doubt for Sizing Europe, as although Foildubh did close before halfway, once Lynch asked for a bit more effort coming off the final turn, Sizing Europe quickly drew away.
With the race not really advancing Sizing Europe's festival aspirations, bookmaker reaction was muted. For the Champion Chase 7-1 is the general price, while 10-1 is available for the Ryanair and 50-1 for the Gold Cup.
"It was just a slog, he looked very idle out in front on ground he wouldn't have been mad about," De Bromhead said. "His jumping was sufficient to get the job done.
"Regarding Cheltenham we'll be looking at what everone else is doing. We're lucky in that we're versatile. The Gold Cup is the outsider of the three races we'll be entering him in. We'll see how everything unfolds, a lot can happen between now and then.
"I've no worries about the Ryanair trip [2m5f]. He got two miles seven at Down Royal twice and his best performance this season was probably over two-and-a-half at Clonmel. It's not an issue.
"He's also won and been second in a Champion Chase in the last two years and won an Arkle so there's a lot to weigh up. It's a very nice decision for Alan and Ann [Potts, owners] to have to make and as I always say, we're very lucky to have him."
