Sprinter Sacre and Sizing Europe in unison at Punchestown© Photo Healy Racing
Sprinter Sacre had to work a bit harder than odds of 1/9 might have suggested but he still thrilled the throngs (record crowd of 18,607, beating 2008 figure of 18,168 and last year's 14,345 - 4,262 more) that came to see him at Punchestown when landing the Boylesports.com Champion Chase. Sizing Europe put it up to him from the front and Barry Geraghty (bringing up a Grade 1 double after winning on Jezki earlier) had to ask Sprinter Sacre (becoming the first horse since Istabraq in 1999 to claim major honours at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown in the same season) to go and win his race over the final two.
The successful son of Network (on his 7th birthday and making it 10 out of 10 over fences here) threw a decisive leap at the last and he stayed on well up the run-in to beat Sizing Europe by five and a half lengths (there had been nineteen lengths between the pair at Cheltenham).
Nicky Henderson commented of his super-star: "I had him 101 percent for Cheltenham and then we slotted in Aintree after that so to do the three is very, very hard.
"Even if you think it's an easy race - being in this sort of theatre takes a lot out of them.
"It was harder for him today than in the past but it was more testing (softer) ground.
"Fair play to Sizing Europe - he ran a hell of a race.
"On good ground he's spectacular but you can't do it on this ground.
"It's special to come to Punchestown. We love coming here and we've been doing it for years.
"There was no point in staying at home and I hope everyone in Ireland enjoyed seeing him."
Barry Geraghty explained: "He was very good. The ground is dead and tacky and from the fourth last that is the case.
"I asked him for a big one there but on that ground he doesn't get the same bounce.
"It made him a little more workman-like but I've never ridden a horse that jumps so accurately.
"I'd say Sizing Europe ran as good as ever he did. He was definitely better than he was at Cheltenham I'd imagine.
"It was a brilliant race to ride in – he's an unbelievable one to ride.
"I'd say there was more tension today than there was at Cheltenham – just the crowds and the amount of people that were here for one horse was massive.
"Even on the way out we were being cheered – the place was electric.
"Shona Dreaper who works here called it the Bieber effect."
Henry De Bromhead said of Sizing Europe: "We said we'd go out and throw the kitchen sink at him and I think we did.
"Andrew (Lynch) gave him a super ride. It was nice to see Sprinter Sacre off the bridle and to see Barry pushing him along.
"We've no arguments – he ran a cracker." (GC & EM)
