NEWS DIGEST: EVEN AT the height of the summer flat game, a Monday steeplechase at Roscommon still looks an intriguing contest with Sizing Europe due to take part in his second start over fences this evening, writes Brian O'Connor.

The former Irish Champion Hurdle winner takes on 13 opponents in the two-mile novice chase and it is unlikely to be a repeat of last month’s saunter around Punchestown.

Sizing Europe jumped well enough on that occasion under Denis O’Regan for some bookmakers to make him an early favourite for next year’s Arkle at Cheltenham.

But he faces a much stiffer task now on very different ground that will ride quick enough to suit the likes of the former Galway Hurdle winner Cuan Na Grai as well as the former Group Three victor Bobs Pride.

Throw in other chase winners like Merveilles and Tryptronic and this will be a very hot National Hunt race for the time of year. Ground conditions could see Sizing Europe facing a big job to beat Cuan Na Grai who impressed by winning at Killarney.

Former champion jockey Paul Carberry could have a good evening and Jewel Of The West looks an appropriate winner of the two-mile handicap hurdle on these quick ground conditions.

An unlucky loser at Fairyhouse behind Sarteano, Noel Meade’s runner was unsuited by the heavy going at the Punchestown festival.

Carberry also teams up with Indian Spring for Edward O’Grady in the conditions hurdle and although he strictly speaking has something to find with Decoy Daddy and Callow Lake in the conditions hurdle, Indian Spring still looks to hold good claims.

Dawn Valentino didn’t cut much ice on his jumping debut at Cork last month but Willie Mullins’s horse usually step up from their first start over hurdles and the in-form champion trainer can strike again in the opener.

Former Japan Derby winner Vodka became the first filly to win €7 million in prize money after storming to victory in the Yasuda Memorial yesterday. Race favourite Vodka became Japan’s most successful filly after pipping 2008 Derby winner Deep Sky to win her sixth grade one race, also a record for a Japanese filly.

Vodka won €700,000 after coming from behind to beat Deep Sky with Faridat finishing third in the one-mile race in Tokyo.

Vodka was the first filly in 64 years to win the Japan Derby in 2007 and followed that with a memorable victory at last year’s Emperor’s Cup.

“It was a very tough race so I felt sorry for the horse but she’s so strong. You should be praising her today,” winning jockey Yutaka Take said.