Sizing Europe confirmed his status as the king of the two-mile (3200m) chasing division with an imperious display in the Tingle Creek at Sandown.
Henry de Bromhead’s pride and joy has been campaigned over a variety of different distances during the past couple of seasons, but as victories in the Arkle Trophy and Queen Mother Champion Chase would suggest, he appears at his most potent over the minimum trip.
Despite having won four of his previous five starts on British soil, the Irish raider had question marks ahead of his latest assignment, mainly due to a narrow defeat in a three-mile slog at Down Royal last month.
But allowed to go off as the 11-8 favourite with the rain-softened ground once again a concern, Andrew Lynch’s mount rarely looked like not coming up with the goods.
Jumping with the verve that was the highlight of his two notable Cheltenham victories, Sizing Europe flew the fences and was vying for the lead soon before the turn for home.
Kauto Stone, the half-brother to dual Tingle Creek winner Kauto Star and another coming back in distance, also travelled easily and was the only one able to stick with Sizing Europe when the pace quickened.
But while Ruby Walsh got lower in the saddle at the top of the straight, Lynch sat motionless and his mount produced another couple of exuberant leaps to seal an eight-length triumph.
Bookmakers were impressed with Sizing Europe, with Ladbrokes clipping him to 3-1 from 5-1 to defend his Champion Chase crown in March.
Totesport made the same change, while Victor Chandler offer 100-30.
“He’s a horse who can run over any trip and he will run his heart out, but two miles is probably his ideal trip,” Lynch said.
Trainer Paul Nicholls was satisfied with Kauto Stone’s performance but felt he would be better over a longer distance.
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