ON A day when Ireland’s latest great white racing hope, Dunguib, got found out, it was Sizing Europe, the horse that once carried that dubious title, who came good with a vengeance at Cheltenham by securing the Arkle Trophy.
A trio of Irish-trained opening day winners included Quevega’s second victory in a row in the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle, and A New Story’s 25 to 1 victory in the Cross-Country Chase, but there was no disputing Sizing Europe’s position at centre-stage for the visitors.
Two years after Henry de Bromhead’s star came to the second last flight in the Champion Hurdle travelling like a winner, the Co Waterford trainer admitted to a mixture of dread and deja vu as Sizing Europe came to the second last fence yesterday going possibly even better.
A poor jump left Sizing Europe’s back muscles askew two seasons previously, ruining his chance in the process, but he made no mistake yesterday, powering up the hill under jockey Andrew Lynch to repel Somersby by three parts of a length.
It put the lie to those who had questioned Sizing Europe’s resolution in the past and provided de Bromhead with an emotional Cheltenham success 17 years after his father Harry won here with Fissure Seal.
“Sizing Europe is really like one of our children and has put us on the map. Last year he came here and couldn’t run (transit sickness) so it’s great that it’s third time lucky,” he said.
“Win, lose or draw, I wanted him to come here and show what he can do. Any time he has been beaten there has always been a valid reason.”
Bookmaker reaction was to make Sizing Europe an 8 to 1 shot for next year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase but de Bromhead appeared to be leaning towards longer distances next season, a similar idea to Henrietta Knight’s for Somersby.
“I would love to try three miles, but right now I don’t know. But he did win his Beginners Chase at two and a half so we will see,” he said before confirming Punchestown as a possible last date of this season.
The well-backed favourite Captain Cee Bee finished only eighth and trainer Eddie Harty reported: “He burst a blood vessel and unfortunately that’s the one thing you cannot legislate for. He has not done it since Liverpool two years ago and it’s something we are going to have to work around.”
Philip Fenton and Brian O’Connell have different problems to work around with Dunguib who could only stay on for third in the Supreme Novices Hurdle behind the 12 to 1 winner Menorah.
O’Connell was criticised by some observers for lying too far off the pace and racing wide on the 4 to 5 Irish banker but while it might not have been a particularly inspired ride, it hardly prevented Dunguib from winning if he had been everything he had been hyped up to be.
“We had every chance,” said a disappointed jockey while Fenton said: “I wouldn’t criticise Brian. We have been beaten and we have to take it on the chin. It’s more likely we will stay in novice class now if he runs at Punchestown.”
On his 80th start, and four and a half years since his last previous win, A New Story picked his opportunity perfectly to come good under 17-year-old Cork rider Adrian Heskin in the Cross-Country Chase.
L’Ami did best of the Enda Bolger team in second but it was Limerick trainer Michael Hourigan who picked up just the third festival prize of his career and he confirmed A New Story is going to stay busy.
“He’s in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter on Saturday. He’ll run there if he’s okay and Adrian will ride. This horse is a character, a real star,” Hourigan said.
If A New Story was a surprise, then the roar that greeted Quevega’s success testified to a 6 to 4 SP that sent Irish punters home happy. Her defeat of Carole’s Legacy also put Ruby Walsh level with Pat Taaffe as the winning-most festival jockey ever on 25 winners.
“I thought Quevega was my best ride by far today – she really is the best mare around when she’s on song,” said Walsh who like many people had heard negative rumours about her wellbeing last week.
Quevega will try the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown next.
