RACING PUNCHESTOWN PREVIEW: A MOUTH-WATERING clash between some of the best known jumpers in Ireland takes place at Punchestown this afternoon, with Sizing Europe favourite to maintain his winning progress over fences.
The 2008 AIG Irish Champion Hurdle winner is among just seven lining up for the Grade Three Buck House Novice Chase but his opposition includes the enigmatic five-time Grade One winner Harchibald as well as the ultra-versatile Bobs Pride.
That trio used to count among the leading hurdlers in this country and Harchibald, a never-to-be-forgotten runner-up in the 2005 Champion Hurdle, is making his debut over fences today at the age of 10.
“He loves decent ground so we decided we couldn’t wait any longer. It could be heavy next week,” explained the in-form Noel Meade yesterday.
“It’s a good race but in these beginners chases you usually have a few decent sorts anyway.”
Today’s two and a quarter mile trip is a worry to the Harchibald camp in terms of stamina but Sizing Europe is dropping back from the two and a half miles he won over here in May on his own first steeplechase start.
There were no signs of the back problems that have plagued Henry De Bromhead’s star ever since he looked poised to win last year’s Champion Hurdle only for a bad mistake at the penultimate flight.
The Co Waterford trainer has been pleased with Sizing Europe’s physical condition on the run up to today but is not expecting another saunter in the manner of last May.
“You’d love if they went through the season on the bridle but that never happens. So we are going to find out something about him. We would love to win – full stop,” De Bromhead said yesterday.
“He has always had the look of a chaser and sometimes jumped hurdles like they were fences.
“He was great the first day and there will be no complaints about the ground. They are calling it yielding, which is perfect,” he added.
The possible fly in the ointment could be Bobs Pride, who fell on his chasing debut at Roscommon in May but was very impressive at the Galway festival.
As a former winner of the Group Three Ballysax Stakes on the flat, and a one-time Champion Hurdle candidate, Dermot Weld’s runner will bow to none of these in terms of pace and he will relish the decent ground.
However, chasing has always looked like being Sizing Europe’s principal forte and he can tighten his grip at the top of the Cheltenham Arkle ante-post market.
Today’s other Grade Three is the six-runner Star Chase, which has been avoided by last year’s winner War Of Attrition and the Welsh National and Punchestown Gold Cup victor, Notre Pere.
In their absence, Ruby Walsh’s mount Royal County Star should thrive on the going and improve on his Kerry National third, while the champion jockey can also score in the Listed mares hurdle aboard the ex-Willie Mullins trained Serpentaria.
Meath All Star is another ex-Mullins runner transferred to Gordon Elliot but he has a bit to find on Some Present on Cheltenham bumper form in the opening maiden hurdle.
