- Horse Racing
Sizing Europe too strong for Rubi Light
Sizing Europe proved himself the premier two-mile chaser in Ireland with a battling victory from Rubi Light in the Paddy Power Dial-a-bet Chase at Leopardstown.
The former Champion Chaser, who lost his crown to Finian's Rainbow last season, was made to work hard after travelling well for much of the race, but he found enough for Andrew Lynch to land the Grade One prize.
Sizing Europe and Rubi Light eyeballed each other from the off and set a rapid tempo. Time and again Rubi Light took lengths out of Sizing Europe at his fences, but on the level the 1/3 favourite made the ground up with ease.
Sizing Europe appeared to have taken the measure Rubi Light when jumping ahead at the last and skipping clear. He had a five-length lead jumping the last, but his stride began to shorten in the heavy ground and Rubi Light put in a renewed effort. But once he came up to Sizing Europe's quarters, he found more to assert in battling fashion.
"That was great, we're very lucky to have him, he makes training a lot easier," Sizing Europe's trainer Henry De Bromhead said. "You wouldn't really want him to be taking a hold like he did there over three miles (but) he loves this game, he just loves it. I'm very relieved as when you are 1-3 (favourite), second is disappointing.
"It's great to win that race now and we'll work on from there to Cheltenham. I don't know what we are going to do yet. He could possibly be entered in the three big chases (Gold Cup, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Ryanair) at Cheltenham. For me he's looking far more like a stayer this year so we'll see, it's all a long way away yet. We'll try to get him there first."
Jezki extended his winning run to our with a stylish success in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle. Jessica Harington's charge did not impress with hurdling in his win at Fairyhouse last time, but he looked much more at home going left handed and jumped fluently and settled the Grade One contest in a matter of strides after the final flight - powering clear of Waaheb who travelled well but made a couple of novice mistakes.
Tony McCoy's decision to travel over to Leopardstown paid off as he partnered the gambled on Colbert Station, backed in to 5/1 favouritism, to land the Paddy Power Chase. Colbert Station travelled and jumped superbly, set sail for home at the second last and stayed on well to score.