Sizing Europe takes Arkle honours
Tuesday 16 March 2010
Watch again Sizing Europe's victory
Sizing Europe maintained his unbeaten record over fences with a impressive display in the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham.
Having his first run at Prestbury Park since disappointing in the 2008 Champion Hurdle, Henry de Bromhead's 6-1 chance travelled powerfully throughout under Andrew Lynch.
The eight-year-old was left in front when Mad Max made a bad mistake at the second-last and although Somersby and Osana came at him after the final fence, Sizing Europe kept up the gallop to take top honours by three-quarters of a length.
Andrew Lynch said afterwards: 'He was a bit keen early on there.
He was good over hurdles but he was always going to be a chaser. The last day at Leopardstown, he didn't really jump the last but he jumped super today.'
De Bromhead added: 'He seemed to be travelling brilliantly and jumping great. He got a fantastic ride and it all went right on the day.
'He loves to be fresh and we got our runs and experience into him before Christmas which was good. He prefers the better ground.
Hopefully he'll be back next year for the Queen Mother.'
A delighted jockey Paddy Aspell said: 'He battled and it's all down to the horse. Jimmy said if he got in behind horses, he would look after number one but I've asked him questions I shouldn't have been asking him and he's proved it.
'In the back of my mind (I thought I'd won) but you prefer the boss upstairs to tell you. It's way up there (in my career achievements). Apart from this, I think my biggest win was something daft like the Scottish County Hurdle.
'I'm a journeyman but days like these, words just can't get it over.'
