De Bromhead posts positive report on Sizing Europe

Henry de Bromhead reports Sizing Europe to be in fine shape ahead of his intended next outing in the Clonmel Oil Chase at the Co Tipperary track next Thursday.

The ever-popular 12-year-old took the Grade Two prize over two and a half miles in 2012 and showed he had retained lots of ability when beating Road To Riches in the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran last month.

The runner-up gave the form a major boost when lifting the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal on Saturday.

“We’re hoping to go there. He seems good and I’m delighted with him,” the Co Waterford trainer said. “Obviously Road To Riches didn’t do his form any harm. He really enjoyed it there before and nearly half ran away with Andrew (Lynch) down the hill. I’m delighted that’s where we’re heading and we’ll see how we go.”

Meanwhile, Jim Culloty promises to have Lord Windermere as fit as possible for his seasonal reappearance in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on December 7th.

Reasonable shape

The Mallow trainer wants his Cheltenham Gold Cup winner to be in reasonable shape for his first run of the winter, with the intention being to head for the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown three weeks later.

“I’m very happy with him and the John Durkan is the plan,” Culloty said. “It’s a slightly inadequate trip, but he’ll be fit and well. It’s his first run, so we’ll see how we go.”