Sizing Europe stops Tranquil Sea from winning Clonmel Oil Chase for the third time
With an ambition to complete a hat-trick in Clonmel Oil Chase, Tranquil Sea once again showed up in style. The E. J. O'Grady-trained hardly faced any trouble in winning this Grade Two event last two years, but he was up against a different opposition this
season.
He alongside three others looked completely helpless in front of Sizing Europe, who jumped neatly to make it two-from-two for the season. With a flawless display of jumping, the Henry De Bromhead-trained dominated the proceedings all the way through, bagging
the big prize easily by 20 lengths.
Under A. E. Lynch, he settled in third in the beginning. Pumping up his speed, the maverick runner went second before the fourth fence. The 1-7 favourite comfortably established his supremacy in the middle stages and after getting his head in front, he continued
to extend advantage.
No one could challenge him throughout, and it was an easy win for Sizing Europe. The rest of the line-up, especially Tranquil Sea, completely failed to make an impact. The 2-time champion was unable to take a fine start.
Under Barry Geraghty, he went third when hampered 2 out. Showing no extra pace, the 7-1 second favourite soon got weakened, and eventually finished at bottom of the chart.
It was really a straightforward win for Sizing Europe, who has now set sights on the Grade 1, William Hill King George VI Chase at Kempton on December 26th.
“We have three options for him over Christmas - the King George, the Lexus Chase and the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase at Leopardstown," the trainer said.
“We're keen to stick to our plan regarding the ground and are giving serious consideration to the King George. I'd very much like to see him running on good ground over three miles and it's a race Alan [Potts, owner] would love to have a runner in."
On the mega Clonmel success, he shared: "To go and win like that was an awesome performance - he's nearly getting better!"
On the basis of Sizing Europe’s magnificent victory, it is not hard to say that the 10-year-old will not be without plenty of supporters at Kempton this Christmas.
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