took a couple of fences to warm to his jumping, soon raced in 3rd, 2nd when slight mistake 6 out, moderate 3rd from next, slightly slow jump 4 out, closed up from before straight, no impression from before 2 out, left in lead last, stayed on
soon led, good jump 5 out and went on, reduced lead approaching straight, asserted from before 2 out and soon in command, drifted to right and fell last, remounted to finish 3rd
soon raced last of the 4 until moderate 2nd 5 out, closed approaching straight and ridden, no impression from before 2 out, left 2nd from last, kept on without matching winner run-in
raced in 2nd, 3rd 7 out, dropped last of the 4 and no extra from 5 out
A small field but the racecourse management will be delighted at having tempted connections of the brilliant SIZING EUROPE. Henry De Bromhead's Arkle and Queen Mother Champion Chase hero has his first run since being touched off by Big Zeb in the Punchestown Champion Chase in May and the only concern is that he was beaten on his return to action last season, though that was on his subsequently aborted attempt to stay three miles. Rubi Light is a superb prospect who ran a cracking race when a close third in the Ryanair at Cheltenham. He won easily on his return to action a year ago and is set for a big campaign though the ground may be just too quick for him. Finger Onthe Pulse has fitness on his side having scored at Listowel last month where his excellent jumping soon had most of his rivals struggling. He looks the one to take advantage if the principals are not ready for the fray.
Sizing Europe (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Raced 2nd early, led from 4th, ridden entering straight, joined 2 out, narrowly headed at last, kept on well run-in, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Big Zeb (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs G1 (1) gd in May.
Rubi Light (FR) 16-1 (11-10) Prominent, led 3rd until next, led 7th until 9th, led next, blundered and headed 3 out, 2nd and driven after 2 out, no impression on winner flat, one pace final 75 yards, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Albertas Run (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar.
Coolcashin (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Led, headed before 4 out, weakened, last of 9, 50l behind Stonemaster (11-2) at Cork 2m 4f hdl in Mar.
Lenabane (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Chased clear leader, 4th halfway, closer from 6 out, 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner from next, kept on one pace, 3rd of 17, 6l behind Alfa Beat (11-3) at Listowel 3m hcp chs sft in Sep.
Finger Onthe Pulse (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Made all, opened up race winning lead from before 2 out, kept on well under pressure run-in, reduced lead close home, won at Listowel 2m 4f chs 0-145 hvy in Sep beating For Bill (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
