Europe drops back in trip

RACING:SIZING EUROPE is set to drop back to two miles and clash with the champion chaser Big Zeb at Punchestown on Sunday.

Last season’s Arkle winner is entered for the Gold Cup, the Ryanair Chase and the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and was last seen running over three miles when runner-up to Kauto Star at Down Royal in November.

An intended start in the King George on St Stephen’s Day was ruled out due to the weather and trainer Henry De Bromhead has now decided to drop back in trip for the Boylesports Chase on Sunday.

“We’ve put him in the Grade Two at Punchestown on Sunday, the Boylesports Chase, and hopefully he’ll run there,” he said yesterday. “We’ve got all our options open at Cheltenham, he’s in the three main races, the Gold Cup, Ryanair and Champion Chase.” He added: “Running on Sunday is probably more not wanting to get involved in a three-mile slog at this time of year. The Hennessy was there as an option but we felt on real winter ground it may not be such a good idea. This keeps our options open for the Festival too.

“I’m really happy with him. We gave him a nice break after he came back from Kempton at Christmas. We’re just starting to tune him up again.”

Sizing Europe is currently a 10 to 1 fourth favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase.