Sizing Europe showed he still has plenty of ability in his locker as the veteran 12-year-old produced a very game performance to get his head in front close home in the Grade 2 PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park.

This was the fourth year in-a-row that Henry de Bromhead’s charge had won this race though it didn’t look likely for most of the contest.

Johnny Burke was on board for the first time and the pair raced in fourth and third before improving into a clear second upon jumping the fourth last. They were still several lengths in arrears of Galway Plate winner Road To Riches who was sent off the even-money favourite to add this pot to his Ballybrit gains.

Burke got after Sizing Europe in the home straight and although his horse was getting closer it still looked like he had plenty on his plate coming to the last. A super leap there though changed everything. Road To Riches started to wander around and Sizing Europe built up a head of steam and grabbed him close home as the crowd roared him in. He got up by a head at 9/4.

A jubilant Henry de Bromhead said: “It's just incredible. He's just trying to take the piss now leaving it to the very end.

“For four years on the trot to come back here is amazing. Johnny said he was coming out of his hands in the straight and winged the last. I still didn't think he would get up.

“It's great it has happened. We just didn't feel he was ready to retire and fair play to Alan and Ann to run with it. Alan said he'll tell us when he's ready.

“He's rated 161 and those horses are hard to come by. He's still loving it and is running away with fellas at home and has the heart of a lion.

“Johnny’s a super rider and has a very cool head for a young guy. Fair play to him he's really grabbed the opportunity. He's a lovely guy and I'm delighted for him.”

On future targets de Bromhead commented: “I was going to say up the north but I think I'd get lynched! The Clonmel Oil is a possible. I want to speak to Alan and Ann but he loved going around there a few years ago. We said we'll take one race at a time.”

Johnny Burke said: “It’s been magical just to be part of it all even. He’s come back here to win four in-a-row. He’s a phenomenal horse at 12 to battle the way he did. It’s just testament to him, Henry and the staff.

“We were going plenty quick enough. He really started to jump and travel in the middle part of the race. To be fair my lad didn’t half battle. I needed a big one at the last and he gave me it. He was half a length down.

“Andrew Lynch was very sporting, he gave me great advice about him. It was only four months ago I was riding point-to-points!”

Paul Carberry said of runner-up Road To Riches: “I was sure I had them all cooked and couldn't have done anymore. He got a bit tired and will come on for the run.”

The Stewards interviewed P. Carberry, rider of Road To Riches, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.4, in that he used the whip without giving his mount time to respond and having considered his record, suspended him for one race day.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson