Wonder horse Sizing Europe continued on his merry winning way over fences at Punchestown today, claiming a fifth consecutive win and his 19th in total, in the featured Grade 2 Boylesports.com Tied Cottage Steeplechase.

Returned the 1/8 favourite to defeat his four lesser rated rivals, Sizing Europe made all under regular rider Andrew Lynch, eventually being pushed along to shake off the challenge of Foildubh for a 10 lengths win.

Winning trainer Henry De Bromhead can never be accused of taking the former Champion Chaser for granted and later reaffirmed “as I always say, we are just so lucky to have him!”

He added “it was a bit of a slog and he did what he had to do. He just looked very idle on ground that he wouldn't be mad about and his jumping was ok.

“It hasn't really made any difference to where we'll go at Cheltenham – I'd say the Gold Cup is the outsider of the three options (also the Champion Chase and Ryanair) and we'll just see how everything unfolds. His most impressive win this year was probably the 2m4f race at Clonmel.”

Sizing Europe has now finished in the first three on all of his 21 chase starts, winning 14.

Boylesports and Paddy Power both left Sizing Europe unchanged at 7/1 for the Champion Chase with Boylesports leaving him unchanged at 6/1 for the Ryanair Chase.

Stan James, on the other hand, pushed Sizing Europe to 7/1 (from 6s) for the Champion Chase but left him unchanged at 10/1 for the Ryanair Chase.

Quotes from Alan Magee