Europe all set for Punchestown

Henry de Bromhead is hoping Sizing Europe's run at Punchestown on Sunday will put him spot on for the defence of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

Sizing Europe was third behind the ill-fated Golden Silver in the Boylesports.com Tied Cottage Chase 12 months ago, and the County Waterford trainer believes the timing of the Grade Two contest is just right, having not raced since winning the Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown in December.

De Bromhead told At The Races: "Things have been good since the Tingle Creek. He had a break after he got back from England for a few weeks, then we started stepping it up with him after Christmas and he seems in good form."

He added: "It's a shame Sunday's race isn't a Grade One. It's a race all the top Irish two-milers run in before Cheltenham."

2 February 2012