Cheltenham News: Europe team to leave it late

"Henry de Bromhead's stable star holds engagements in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the longer Ryanair Chase."

A decision on Sizing Europe's target at Cheltenham is set to be left until the last moment.

Henry de Bromhead's stable star holds engagements in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the longer Ryanair Chase.

Should connections opt for the Queen Mother, he would be attempting to regain the crown he won in 2011 and was second in last year.

De Bromhead told The Irish Times: "Strong cases can be made for both races and myself, and Alan and Ann (Potts, owners) will have to sit down and discuss everything much closer to the time.

"But we will leave it late. I don't want to give any indication either way because I don't know. Things can change day-to-day.

"It's looking unlikely that the ground will be soft at Cheltenham but if it did turn up soft or heavy, then that could make the two miles and five of the Ryanair less likely. So we will leave everything until closer to the time."

Sizing Europe, currently rated 172 by Timeform, can be backed at 16.015/1 for the Queen Mother behind red-hot favourite Sprinter Sacre, and 7.413/2 for the Ryanair.

Look out for the new features in Timeform Race Passes - In-Play Hints, Running Notes & Warning Horses. Find out more at timeform.com.

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US Masters Tips: Henrik or Edoardo can be king of Europe

US Masters / Paul Krishnamurty / 03 April 2012 / Leave a Comment

Is Stenson on his way back?

"A top-15 finish may well be enough to win this market."

A pair of weak favourites head the betting for the top Continental European performer at this year's Masters, says Paul Krishnamurty, and that makes for good value down the field

A solid strategy for finding value in speciality markets is locating the one including weak links, and this 15-runner contest very much fits that bill. The two favourites have appalling recent records at Augusta - Sergio Garcia failing to better 35th since 2004, Martin Kaymer missing all three cuts. The number of realistic winners can also be reduced by discounting old-timers Jose-Maria Olazabal and Bernhard Langer, weak-putting debutant Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and three-time cut failure Anders Hansen.

Even otherwise strong candidates like Robert Karlsson, Alvaro Quiros and Fredrik Jacobson are out of form. Consequently, a top-15 finish may well be enough to win this market.

Two players in good form at decent odds stand out. Henrik Stenson is a class act on the way back from the Doldrums on the basis of five straight top-25s.

Edoardo Molinari is also in good nick, finishing top-11 on his last two starts and after last year's 11th place, we know he likes Augusta. The Italian's strength is his short game, so expect him to build a decent Masters portfolio throughout his career.

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2u Henrik Stenson @ [12.5]
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Tied Cottage Result: Europe conquers Zeb at Punchestown

The Cheltenham Festival / Timeform / 05 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Sizing Europe won the Tied Cottage Chase.

"He should improve for that - he hasn't run since the Tingle Creek..."

Current champion chaser Sizing Europe defeated former champion Big Zeb in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown...

The Henry de Bromhead-trained 10-year-old dismissed Colm Murphy's 2010 Champion Chase winner with relative ease in what turned into a straight shootout in the Grade Two heat.

Andrew Lynch adopted positive tactics on Sizing Europe and took over from the big outsider Imperial Shabra on jumping the first fence, after which he was never headed.

Big Zeb loomed up, looking briefly threatening between the final two fences, before Lynch kicked clear to settle matters.

Big Zeb had been favourite all week, but there was plenty of confidence in Sizing Europe on course and the pair swopped positions in the market.

Both had met with defeat in the race 12 months ago, when the ill-fated Golden Silver proved successful, but they went on to dominate the finish at Cheltenham two months later.

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."

A disappointed Murphy said of Big Zeb: "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."

Sizing Europe is currently available at [2.52] to defend his Champion Chase crown, whilst Big Zeb can be backed at [7.8].

Colm Murphy feels Voler La Vedette is better than she showed in defeat behind Zaidpour at Gowran last time out......

Connections of Binocular will have to go back to the drawing board after the abandonment of Saturday's card at Sandown......

The two dominant forces in the two-mile chase division are due to clash in Sunday's Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown......

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Tied Cottage Result: Europe conquers Zeb at Punchestown

The Cheltenham Festival / Timeform / 05 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Sizing Europe won the Tied Cottage Chase.

"He should improve for that - he hasn't run since the Tingle Creek..."

Current champion chaser Sizing Europe defeated former champion Big Zeb in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown...

The Henry de Bromhead-trained 10-year-old dismissed Colm Murphy's 2010 Champion Chase winner with relative ease in what turned into a straight shootout in the Grade Two heat.

Andrew Lynch adopted positive tactics on Sizing Europe and took over from the big outsider Imperial Shabra on jumping the first fence, after which he was never headed.

Big Zeb loomed up, looking briefly threatening between the final two fences, before Lynch kicked clear to settle matters.

Big Zeb had been favourite all week, but there was plenty of confidence in Sizing Europe on course and the pair swopped positions in the market.

Both had met with defeat in the race 12 months ago, when the ill-fated Golden Silver proved successful, but they went on to dominate the finish at Cheltenham two months later.

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."

A disappointed Murphy said of Big Zeb: "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."

Sizing Europe is currently available at [2.52] to defend his Champion Chase crown, whilst Big Zeb can be backed at [7.8].

Colm Murphy feels Voler La Vedette is better than she showed in defeat behind Zaidpour at Gowran last time out......

Connections of Binocular will have to go back to the drawing board after the abandonment of Saturday's card at Sandown......

The two dominant forces in the two-mile chase division are due to clash in Sunday's Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown......

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Tingle Creek Betting: Sizing Europe heads entries

News / Timeform / 28 November 2011 / Leave a Comment

Sizing Europe could contest the Tingle Creek on Saturday.

"Two miles around Sandown should be much more up his [Sizing Europe's] street and he is the clear standard setter on his Champion Chase form.

Last season's Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Sizing Europe heads 11 entries for the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown on Saturday...

Henry de Bromhead's Cheltenham winner Sizing Europe finished a respectable second to Quito de la Roque on his most recent start at Down Royal, when shaping as if the three miles he faced that day was stretching his stamina. Two miles around Sandown should be much more up his street and he is the clear standard setter on his Champion Chase form.

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls has dominated the Tingle Creek in recent seasons, landing each of the last six renewals, and this year he has entered Tataniano and Kauto Stone, although the latter is more likely to head to Ireland for the John Durkan at Punchestown. Tataniano made a winning reappearance at Chepstow in October, delivering a high-class performance which marked him down as a major player in the top two-mile races.

Philip Hobbs, who won the race in 2001 with Flagship Uberalles, has entered Wishfull Thinking. Runner-up in the Jewson at Cheltenham last season before winning at both the Aintree and Punchestown Festivals, Wishfull Thinking was aggressively ridden in the PP Gold Cup at Cheltenham on his return and is much better judged on the pick of his form.

Finian's Rainbow, second to Captain Chris in last season's Arkle before winning at Aintree, is the sole representative for the in-form stable of Nicky Henderson. He is likely to improve in his second season chasing and could be up to mixing it with the best in the division.

Timeform Master Ratings

171 Sizing Europe
167 Tataniano
165 Wishfull Thinking
160p Kauto Stone
157p Finian's Rainbow

Weird Al is set to have a long break before being prepared for a spring campaign following his fine effort at Haydock in the Betfair Chase......

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Caulfield Cup Betting: Europe set to send strong raiding party

Timeform Features / Timeform / 31 August 2011 / Leave a Comment

Last year's Melbourne Cup winner Americain has been handed top-weight for the Caulfield Cup

"Of the home contingent, last year's winner Descarado once again lines up and is allotted a weight of 8-12, 8 lb higher than his mark last year."

The Caulfield Cup is set to take place on October 15 and Europe are sending a very strong team this year to try and capture the $2,500,000 race...

Last year's Melbourne Cup winner Americain was allotted top-weight of 9-02 for the Caulfield Cup on Tuesday afternoon in a race that may serve as a prep-run for the Alain de Royre Dupre trained six-year-old before he looks to defend his Flemington crown on November 1.

Americain produced a career-best to land the 2010 running of the Melbourne Cup, catching So You Think with a hundred and fifty yards to go, before drawing clear to score by two and a quarter lengths, earning himself a Timeform rating of 126.

Although he has been below his very best this season, finishing down the field in both the Prix Kergorlay and the Prix de Bababeville, he Melbourne Cup has always been his seasonal objective, a race for which he is currently available at [22]. Americain is currently uncertain to line-up in the Caulfield Cup, with the Cox Plate also being touted by connections as a possible prep-race for the November showpiece.

The British challenge for the Caulfield Cup is headed by Brian Meehan's Breeders' Cup winner Dangerous Midge (Timeform rated 125), set to carry 9-01. He has not been seen since disappointing in the Dubai Sheema Classic, where he finished last of 14 behind Rewilding back in March, but he has proven in the past he can go well when fresh and connections could decide to send him straight to Caulfield.

Michael Bell's Tactician (115) is another British entrant and stands to race off a weight of 8-05. The four-year-old has shown a decent amount of progression in his relatively short career and was at his very best last time out, when he produced a bold front-running display to finish second in the Ebor at York, collared only late on by another who could join him in Australia, Brian Ellison's Moyenne Corniche who could go for the Melbourne Cup.

Group 3 Glorious Stakes winner Drunken Sailor (121) also holds an entry at this stage and is currently priced at [55.0] on Betfair. The Luca Cumani trained six-year-old missed the cut for the Melbourne Cup last year but has looked better this season, winning the listed Aston Park Stakes by seven lengths before his Goodwood success.

The strong pace that the Caulfield Cup is often run at will suit Drunken Sailor, who is seen at his very best when held-up given such circumstances and he is notably entered and available to back at [55.0] for the Melbourne Cup, too.

Of the home contingent, last year's winner Descarado once again lines up and is allotted a weight of 8-12, 8 lb higher than his mark last year. He is currently available to be backed at [50.0], and is bidding to become the first horse to win back-to-back Caulfield Cups since Rising Fast did so in 1955.

Amongst the market principals are Lights of Heaven and Scarlett Lady, who are priced [9.2] and [11.5] respectively and arrive at Caulfield with every chance, having won over £500,000 between them already this season.

James Fanshawe holds a strong hand in Saturday's Haydock Sprint Cup, with Deacon Blues the current favourite and Society Rock also towards the head of the betting, but Timeform reckon the prize could be going back to another Newmarket yard as the race to be crowned Europe's Champion sprinter draws closer to a conclusion......

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BOD snubs Royal Wedding to make Leinster kings of Europe

Heineken Cup / Ralph Ellis / 26 April 2011 / Leave a Comment

O'Driscoll in action in Leinster's quarter-final win

"O’Driscoll is still hurting from losing to Toulouse in last year’s semi-final... "

Brian O'Driscoll won't be attending Westminster Abbey this Friday because he's got more important things to do: preparing for Leinster's Heineken Cup clash with Toulouse. Ralph Ellis salutes the Ireland captain's commitment.

It's the week we are all chasing the golden ticket. If you are filling out your Olympics application (it's the last chance today), then it's the athletics on Sunday August 5. That's the session with the mens' 100metres final where the category AA ones will set you back £1,450 a pair.

If you are a fan of either Stoke or Manchester City you are trying to scrape together the cash for a pass to the FA Cup final, and checking you've enough vouchers as well as a couple of hundred quid to pay for them. And of course United fans are crossing their fingers for their own journey to Wembley for a Champions League final, even if the prices will make an outing to London cost as much as the trip to Moscow a couple of years back.

Arguably the hottest ticket of the lot is the one you can't pay for: the Royal Wedding. There's no better way to show you belong among the elite. The Beckhams will be there, of course; and Sir Elton John, Guy Ritchie and Joss Stone. Even the Queen is going, I'm told!

Would anybody turn down that invite? Well, yes, actually. And that's where we come in because if you needed any convincing that it's safe to take the [1.5] for Leinster to beat Toulouse in Saturday's Heineken Cup semi-final it comes with the news that Brian O'Driscoll has turned down his invite to Westminster Abbey.

The veteran Ireland and British Lions star has given a great interview to the Guardian's Tom Jenkins today in which he reveals that his actress wife Amy Huberman will be off to London without him. "I have a captain's run on Friday and as big an honour as it was to be invited, I can't ask for team runs to be at half-six in the evening so I can go. The team ethos comes first. Amy's going as we felt there was an element of representing Ireland. I'll be at home preparing."

O'Driscoll is still hurting from losing to Toulouse in last year's semi-final because at 32 he fears losing far more than he enjoys winning. A similar instinct keeps Ryan Giggs rolling at Manchester United. O'Driscoll has lost four of five European semi-finals in his career so while youngsters like powerful prop Cian Healy have no fear of big occasions, he is only too aware that another chance might not come.

He knows this is too big an opportunity to mess up. Leinster just don't lose in Dublin. It has happened only once since Christmas 2009 and the driving force of 40,000 home fans in the Aviva Stadium should make sure it doesn't happen again.

Then, of course, there will be another golden ticket to be sought - for the final in the Millenium Stadium on May 21.

Five things you might not know about Cian Healy

1. Born October 1987 in Clontarf, Dublin, his dad Paul had been a keen rugby player who won the Leinster Schools Cup as a youngster

2. He started playing rugby aged seven, but as he grew was more outstanding at schools athletics. He was all Ireland intermediate javelin champion and won the senior shot putt and discus titles two years in a row.

3. He started a degree course at Dublin City University in physical education and biology

4. He has a passion for music and performed as the opening act in the dance arena at Ireland's biggest music festival, Oxegen, last year under the name of DJ Church

5. He's also into art, and always takes paints, a canvas and easel with him on away trips.

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