Sizing Europe© Photo Healy Racing
Johnny Burke is still pinching himself after being given the opportunity to ride Sizing Europe for the first time in competitive action in the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park.
Henry de Bromhead's 12-year-old looked likely be retired after bringing the house down with an emotional victory at the Punchestown Festival in the spring, his eighth triumph at Grade One level.
However, the veteran has been brought back for another season and will bid for a fourth consecutive victory in today's Grade Two event.
Teenage sensation Burke replaced Andrew Lynch as retained jockey to owners Alan and Ann Potts earlier this summer and can barely contain his excitement ahead of his biggest day in the job to date.
He said: "He's a horse whose career I followed when I was growing up, so to be going out and riding him in a race now is very exciting.
"It's unbelievable really when you think I'm only six years older than him! When he was winning the Arkle in Cheltenham and races like that, I wasn't evening riding.
"He's been at the top level for so many years and it's just a phenomenal opportunity to be able to ride a horse like him.
"I've had a couple of sits on him and he seems in great order. You certainly wouldn't know he was a 12-year-old.
"He showed he still has plenty of ability when winning in Punchestown just over five months ago, so hopefully he'll go and run a good race on Saturday."
De Bromhead is delighted with his pride and joy ahead of his return to the fray.
He said: "It will be good to see him back and we think he's in good form. I'm sure he'll improve for the run, as he always does first time out, but he seems in good shape.
"Johnny has been to ride him a couple of times, they seem to get on well, so we're looking forward to it."
Sizing Europe faces no easy task on his comeback with the Mouse Morris-trained Baily Green and Noel Meade's Galway Plate hero Road To Riches among his rivals. Lucky William Burn And Turn and Dazzling Susie complete the six-strong field.
