Road To The 2013 QM Champion Chase

Still appears to be as clear as mud "With the way the ground is going, I think I'm leaning towards the Champion Chase," De Bromhead admitted of Sizing Europe, before then adding: "But it really is still 50-50 as to which race we go for."

Whether Finian's rainbow will go or not seems in doubt. MB wants to have a crack but if it is going to on the soft side of good to soft Nicky's opinion is why put the horse though that as he won't go a yard on soft ground.

I hope the weather takes a turn for the good and both turn up. MB reckons Sprinter Sacre has never taken on a real 2 miler but I would argue with that. Cue Card would give any 2 miler in the country something to think about if Sprinter Sacre wasn't around and he made complete mincemeat of him. I don't see it being one bit different no matter if Moscow Flyer himself turned up he'd still kick them all into touch.

I have been a huge fan of Sizing Europe since the day he beat Big Zeb in a hurdle race and I went shooting off to back him for the Champion Hurdle. I had actually backed Tanlic beforehand and although he won the race I was gutted when Sizing Europe pulled up injured. He's such a brilliant horse to watch and for me was the most impressive winner of the 2011 Festival but this Sprinter Sacre is different gravy and in a league of his own.

Since I saw him win at Doncaster I have said he is the new Arkle. He may never emulate him overall but as far as traveling and jumping goes he is for me his superior but in a power packed finish over the last 3 fences Arkle his. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would ever be able to make a comparison to Arkle and Flying Bolt but this horse changed that.....I truly believe he is that good and anything that takes him on next Wednesday are simply wasting their time if they have any ideas in their heads, barring accidents, about beating him.
 
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To be fair, I think you became a fan of Sizing Europe when I told you he'd romp the Irish Champion (not many slow boats win that do they!) and told you it was a 172 performance that made him a cert for the Champion Hurdle haha, on The Racing Forum that was.

I just feel in peoples love and amazement for Sprinter they are discounting the fact Sizing could really put it up to him, for at least about a mile and a half anyway. 6/1 is great value on the beast if he goes here. And I make no apologies for the fact I'd love to see him run even better than that, I have to stick with my old favs ahead of new favs you see.
 
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High Rate said:
To be fair, I think you became a fan of Sizing Europe when I told you he'd romp the Irish Champion (not many slow boats win that do they!) and told you it was a 172 performance that made him a cert for the Champion Hurdle haha, on The Racing Forum that was.

I just feel in peoples love and amazement for Sprinter they are discounting the fact Sizing could really put it up to him, for at least about a mile and a half anyway. 6/1 is great value on the beast if he goes here. And I make no apologies for the fact I'd love to see him run even better than that, I have to stick with my old favs ahead of new favs you see.
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Sizing will get taken off his feet the pace Mail De Bievre will go......11yos only do well in the Champion Chase when they're called Moscow Flyer. Place-lay for me if he runs.
 
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I wouldn't be so sure, myself.

I saw Mail De Bievre last run where he was getting 10 pound from most of the field. Yeah, looked very imoressive for at least 2/3rds of the race, but I just feel to run well in the Champion Chase you need to have a horse prepared for this actual race, Grassy.

I'd also be concerned he will run on decent ground for the first time on Wednesday, as he seems quite a specialist in going very fast on very bad ground. I'd also be concerned Tom George's horses don't seem to be in great form: One winner at 5/4 since 22 Feb and plenty of beaten horses, and that isn't even looking at whether this horse could bounce after just the one run in this country.

Sizing only needs to fear Sprinter Sacre, not a good pace....

Class is permenent and that is something Sizing has plenty of, he'll go the pace alright, De Bromhead knows this horse so well now, he will have him ready to run for his life.

If Sprinter quickens past him as everyone says he will then he's lost nothing in defeat.

Most have judged Sprinter purely visually, seeing an unbeleivable jumper and a horse with the swagger of Arkle himself, and compared that to the visual impression Sizing Europe gives which doesn't look as good. However, thats forgetting Sizing Europe for the most part only gets to win on soft and heavy nowadays in Ireland, and will be a 10 pound better horse on quicker ground. It will be a massive shame if Sizing doesn't line up as we as racing fans need to see the match up, albeit alledgedly a totally one sided match according to many.

At 6/1 I have to say Sizing Europe is a fair e/w bet. The only way he won't get second is if he underperforms and something like Wishful Thinking can take advantage. The French horse won't finish in the first five imo.

Opinions opinions eh!:)

Edit - Mail might get his soft ground yet according the reports on weather.
 
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he looked impressive only becuase the other jockies were not interested in challenging him until the last third of the race

next wensday will be totally different

against specalist 2 milers he will struggle

i dont see sizing winning but i certainly see him finishing in front of MDB

i dont expect him to make the frame

very encouraging for his chances i think is the trainer before the race saying hes a gold cup prospect and four minutes later he suddenly becomes a champion chase prospect.
 
When did De Bromhead say that? I always thought it was Mr and Mrs Potts who wanted him to run in the Gold Cup, which I never understood.
 
High Rate said:
As it now appears Sizing Europe may head to this race, can anyone of our forum members, especially those like Edgt with a great knowledge and recollection of the history of racing, write a preview or compose a write-up about what a dual between Sprinter Sacre and Sizing Europe would be like from a historical perspective???

Has a former Champion Chase winner with the numerous grade one wins Sizing has under his belt even been odds-against, as big as 6/1 in the betting, compared to a horse who has never run in the race and is an odds on shot?

And are there any other relevent comparisons that can be made here with other horses and duals from the past, does the past of this particular race tell us anything etc?

As an admirer of Sizing Europe I'm certainly in favour of boosting the dual up, and think it deserves it from a form book perspective at least!!!
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Flattery will get you everywhere Martin!
Alas my knowledge of 2 mile chasers historically is not what it should be, partly as it used to be the second race on Tuesday so run during schooltime.
I preferred to cadge Gold Cup day!
Between 1975 and 1985 I only saw two; 1978 ( I did no school that day) and 1985. 1978 Hilly Way won at 15/8 ridden by Tommy Carmody whose 2nd win from 2 festival rides it was.Good going.
1979 Hilly Way was back but the going was heavy. TC was with Dickinsons so rode Artifice, a 6yo muti winner that year for J Thorne.
Dramatist started favourite; TM Walsh rode Hilly Way who drifted to 7/1.
Artifice fell 2 out in contention. HW won by 6L from Dramatist.
Cue 1985 and one of the great duels between 83,84 winner Badsworth Boy and odds on Bobsline winner of a cracking Arkle in 84 from Noddys Ride.
Both were near unbeatable over 2 miles at this time.
BB was 11/8; Bobs 8/13 or so. Bobs unseated F Berry 3 out and BB strolled to a bloodless victory.
The more recent duels between Moscow/ Azertyioup and Master Minded/ Voy Pur Ustedes were different as they had met previously.
The greatest match never to take place was between 1965 winner Dunkirk and Flyingbolt in 1966 owing to events in King George when D fell and was put down. That may have equated with the race in prospect next week.
 
Fantastic insight there, Edgt. Thanks so much for replying.

I particularly like this story btw, which took place the year I was born!


"Cue 1985 and one of the great duels between 83,84 winner Badsworth Boy and odds on Bobsline winner of a cracking Arkle in 84 from Noddys Ride.
Both were near unbeatable over 2 miles at this time.
BB was 11/8; Bobs 8/13 or so. Bobs unseated F Berry 3 out and BB strolled to a bloodless victory."


I wonder if the public will bring the price in of Sizing Europe, or whether the big players wil be determined to lay him ,seeing him drift to silly prices.
 
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Been watching Sizings win in this in 2011 and picked up on a couple of things.

I didn't realise how many fences he actually seemed to meet on a wrong footing in this gutsy win. Amazing he didn't really smack one as he seemed quite keen aswell. It strikes me this is a clever and very nimble jumper and one that can correct himself jumping a flight from a less than perfect jumping position. Take a look at how he borderline misses and hits the second last fence, but still gets over it athletically, and when Big Zeb draws upsides between the second last and last it appears he changes his legs and goes 5 lengths clear, putting in by far his best jump at the last when it mattered most. His experience of Cheltenham stands him in good stead whatever race he goes for. This horse is class...preying I get to see the clash happen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ames98044HI
 
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The changed placing of the second last fence changed the whole rhythm of the old course imo. Barry G rode Finians in Arkle "old style" and got out stayed.
The following day in CC nobody took that chance thus handing an easy lead to Sizing who as you say destroyed them. Nicky H last year before CC said that whatever happened Sizing was not going to get an easy lead at the 3rd last.
No doubt Sizing has been under rated by more than me in his time! A cracking horse.
One small fib above; I saw 1981 race after skipping school which did not endear me to my English teacher. Drumgora beat Anaglogs Daughter for Irish 1_2 and Arthur Moore's first festival winner.
 
High Rate said:
To be fair, I think you became a fan of Sizing Europe when I told you he'd romp the Irish Champion (not many slow boats win that do they!) and told you it was a 172 performance that made him a cert for the Champion Hurdle haha, on The Racing Forum that was.
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You balls here's a thread I posted at the beginning of the year I had backed him well before that at 16/1 if I remember correctly you weren't even around. Grassy was as was Aragorn but you were seen but rarely heard like all children should be:lol: Just kiddin you got a better memory than me Martin you probably did tell me he'd win in Ireland but you'd be talking to the converted......damn horse got beat in the CH anyway but of course I still came out on top :p.

HIMSELF WROTE:
Would it be a wise (or foolish) move to back both Sublimity and Sizing Europe to win the Champion Hurdle ?


If I was a wise man I suppose I should bet Sublimity as I suppose he is the biggest danger. Unfortunately I simply don't like the horse, think he's over rated and I would rather lose than put one coin on him......I never back against my own Judgment which I suppose is my biggest weakness.

As far as anyone else doing it.....I think there are too many horses in the race that could win to bet those two and be guaranteed the winner.

I've always thought SE was a bit special since I first saw him but even I think 2/1 is a bit on the short side at this time......gets there on the day fit and well I wouldn't bet against him again. I say again having also backed Katchit EW.

Katchit could still be the one I still say we haven't seen the best of him
 
Hate that name High Rate gonna change it back?

I'd go along with Sizing Europe traveling well for most of the race. The way he travels he is the one horse who could find a chink in his armour if there is one.

The big plus for me is if he and FR both run and Sprinter does smash them he will take a massive hike in the ratings and put me closer to collecting a very large sum of dosh having backed him to break the Timeform 200 barrier by the end of 2014
 
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AP turned up at Seven Barrows on Friday to partner Finian's Rainbow as he was booked to ride him if he was to run and Nicky apparently said he didn't want to run him as he'd only get humiliated on the ground....doesn't look like he'll be running which is a damn shame.
 
LUKE said:
Mr Potts has yet to make a decision.
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Mrs. Potts is very motherly in nature, which befits her as she is mother to the teacup Chip and his other brothers and sisters. As the castle's head housekeeper, she has a very strict sense of responsibility I think she'll be the one who decides :lol:
 
Gawd forbid. What about the massive sum of money that was traded on the build up to the Imperial? How much of that was put up by people who trade with the aim of getting out in running as per their norm.

They never got the chance to get out and many will have put up more than they could afford to lose with the intention of stopping at a certain loss.

When it is clear that a service on an exchange can't be provided perhaps all bets should be void ?
 
If Sizing gets declared in this race in around an hour do we think that means he's a certain starter? Or will it literally go to the last minute, with HDB declaring him for the Ryanair tomorrow aswell.?
 
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