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Big Zeb’s unbeaten record goes as Sizing Europe wins at Punchestown
Sizing Europe will head to the defence of his Queen Mother Champion Chase crown at the top of his game after seeing off Big Zeb in the Boylesports.com Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown.
Henry de Bromhead’s reigning champion was appearing for the first time since landing the Tingle Creek in December, but Andrew Lynch was positive on him and sent him to the front from the outset.
Big Zeb, the 2010 Cheltenham Festival hero, brought an unbeaten record this season into the Grade 2 but was swept aside by the 9/10 favourite, who strolled clear after the last to register a 15-length triumph.
Lynch said: “He’s done it well. The plan was to go out and enjoy it and use his jumping.
“I wanted to use his big stride and though the ground was tacky he’s getting stronger now and handles it better.
“He should improve for that – he hasn’t run since the Tingle Creek.”
Big Zeb will take Sizing Europe on again at the Prestbury Park extravaganza next month, but his disappointed trainer Colm Murphy said: “Robbie Power was never happy with him today – he said he was always niggling just to keep in touch.
“In fairness, the winner was very good – he’s gone a proper gallop on heavy ground.
“We’ll improve for the run, but we’ll have to.
“Robbie said he was beat before the first fence. It was always a worry running on that ground, it was proper testing.
“Cheltenham is still the plan.”
Punchestown was the only action in Britain and Ireland yesterday as the cold snap continues to bite.
After Saturday’s Towton Novices’ Chase card at Wetherby was lost – as were the high-profile meetings at Sandown and Ffos Las – Fontwell, Musselburgh and even the all-weather fixture at Kempton all fell by the wayside yesterday.
Market Rasen, Sedgefield and Carlisle are all subject to inspections as we move into this week, and today’s Wolverhampton hinges on an early check, but the west coast of Scotland appears to have escaped the worst of the freeze and it’s all systems go at Ayr this afternoon.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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