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Sizing Europe with Andrew Lynch yesterday. ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan

Sizing Europe warms up for Cheltenham with Punchestown win

The 10-year-old finished 15 lengths ahead of Big Zeb in the Tied Cottage Chase on Sunday.

WITH THE CHELTENHAM Festival just over a month away, Champion Chase favourite Sizing Europe sent out a signal of intent with a convincing win over old rival Big Zeb on Sunday.

The Henry De Bromhead-trained 10-year-old and jockey Andrew Lynch won by an impressive 15 lengths in the Grade 2 Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown and is as short as evens to defend his crown in the two-mile race on March 14.

“Fair play to Andrew,” De Bromhead said in The Daily Telegraph. “I told him to go out and enjoy himself and use his stride and his jumping, which he did.”

That’s how he needs to be ridden if he’s to win. We said we’d make it a decent gallop and see how we go. I’d say that’s as impressive as he’s ever looked on that ground.

“He was amazing today but I’m never confident, especially going into Cheltenham, and it is five weeks away yet.”

Here’s a clip of yesterday’s race:

YouTube credit:

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