held up in rear, bad mistake 6th, fell 6 out
settled 3rd, not fluent early, 2nd from 6 out, outpaced after 4 out, driven along next, some progress approaching 2 out, no impression from before last
made all, mistake 4th, edged clear 4 out, ridden from 2 out, stayed on well under pressure from last, comfortably
raced in 2nd, slight mistake 3rd, dropped to 3rd after mistake 6 out, lost touch from 4 out, kept on same pace from next
SIZING EUROPE reappeared after a summer break to score at this meeting last year and went on to much greater things including the Arkle at Cheltenham. Beaten but by no means disgraced behind Golden Silver in the Champion Chase here in April he'll be having his first start beyond 2m4f and an expected victory will open up new targets. He's by no means a certainty, however, in this small but select line-up in which Siegemaster, a very useful Grade 2 winner who will have no problems staying the trip, will ensure a thorough test of stamina. Shock Powers Gold Cup Chase winner Jadanli also needs a strong pace though his best form is on very testing ground but China Rock has fitness on his side after landing a Grade 2 at Gowran recently when he looked much improved.
Jadanli (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, ridden in moderate 5th before straight, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 21l behind Kempes (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f nov chs G1 gd in Apr.
Sizing Europe (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Soon led, slightly slow jump 3rd and disputed lead afterwards, strongly pressed and slight mistake last, headed and no extra, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Golden Silver (11-12) at Punchestown 2m chs G1 gd in Apr.
China Rock (IRE) 13-8fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, mistake 8th, improved into 2nd approaching 3 out, led before 2 out where mistake, kept on well under pressure from last, won at Gowran Park 2m 4f chs G2 (1) beating Coolcashin (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Siegemaster (IRE) 33-1 (11-10) Led early, prominent, lost place from 5 out, ridden into 7th before 2 out, soon no impression and kept on without threatening, 5th of 11, 10l behind Planet Of Sound (11-10) at Punchestown 3m 1f chs G1 gd in Apr.
