Lynch backs Sizing for Leopardstown glory

Jockey Andrew Lynch is confident Sizing Europe will prove tough to beat when he bids to maintain his unbeaten record over fences in the Bord na Mona with Nature Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Henry de Bromhead's seven-year-old lost his way over timber following a stunning triumph in the 2008 AIG Europe Champion Hurdle, but three victories from three starts over fences suggest he is back to his best.

Lynch admits he faces a stern examination as he returns to Grade One company but is full of hope his mount will prove up to the task in a cracking contest.

‘I went to have a sit on him on Tuesday and he seems in good form so I'm really looking forward to it,’ said Lynch.

‘He's won on really heavy ground and he's won on decent ground and I think it should be perfect at Leopardstown. There shouldn't be any excuses. This is definitely his biggest test so far over fences, but he has beaten some good horses already.

‘It will be the first time he's gone left-handed over fences, but if anything I think it will suit him even better. It is a tough race, but if my lad puts his best foot forward you'd have to be hopeful he'll be there or thereabouts.

‘He has the potential to go right to the top.’

Edward Harty is delighted with Captain Cee Bee and would not be overly disappointed if his charge does not come home with top honours.

The eight-year-old had been off the track for over 600 days prior to his chasing debut success at Naas and Harty knows the season is far from over.

‘Everything has gone great since Naas, he's in good form and we'll just have to see how it turns out on the day,’ said Harty.

‘It's obviously a good field and it wouldn't be the end of the world if he's beaten as it's only his second run back and it's a long old road until the end of the season. Tony (McCoy) is over at Kempton to ride Binocular so we've got Mark Walsh in to ride and he's a good jockey.

‘We're looking forward to seeing how he gets on and we'll see if he's good enough.’

Osana, runner-up in the 2008 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, is two from two over fences since joining Edward O'Grady.

‘It's a very competitive race but that's only what we expected and we are still learning about our horse,’ said O'Grady.

‘There wasn't too much between him and Sizing Europe over hurdles, so we'll just have to see what happens. I'm very happy with our horse at the moment.’

Fosters Cross needs to bounce back having unseated his rider at Cheltenham, but trainer Tom Mullins is hoping for a bold show.

‘He had a bit of a setback after Cheltenham with a slight cough and a bit of a muscle injury but he is in good form now,’ said Mullins.

‘He seems to have strengthened up over the past few months and I think the switch to fences has really brought him on as well. He jumps particularly well and although I could maybe do with an extra week to get him perfect, he could be fit enough and I'd be hopeful of a good run.’