Sizing Europe’s entry in the King George VI Chase annulled
The connections of the ten-year-old bay gelding, Sizing Europe, are so concerned about continuing with the supreme form of their under charge that they have ruled out the King George VI Chase option. The confirmation of missing the Boxing Day came around when the connections announced that they do not want to risk the winning feat of the brilliant gelding over anything other than sound ground.
Another entry who has waved good bye to the King George line-up is the Mouse Morris trained, First Lieutenant. Last that he raced, the gelding ended third in the Hennessy Gold Cup that was won by the Nicky Henderson trained, Bobs Worth.
The trainer, Mouse Morris, is planning to guard his chances now with, China Rock.
"He's in great form, but we've decided to stay at home with him," said the trainer.
In case of the Henry De Bromhead trained, Sizing Europe, there are two options. He can contest in the two-mile-one-furlong trip at Leopardstown in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase and also has chances of competing in the three-mile Lexus Chase.
De Bromhead said: "We said at the start of the season we'd love to try him over three miles on better ground, but it doesn't look like we're going to get that at the moment. Sometimes you do at Kempton on Boxing Day, but unfortunately we won't this year."
He added: "He has the two options at Leopardstown and we'll leave him in both races, but the way the weather is going at the moment, I would imagine he'll probably run in the two-mile race."
Scaring others, the King George VI Chase conditions are still favourable for the Nicky Henderson trained, Long Run, who last won the edition with pretty much similar ground conditions. Another candidate who has all the chances of making the best out of it is, Cue Card. His speed backs him up for the trip.
The undisputed champion of the race, Kauto Star, has retired and the other hopeful for the Paul Nicholls’ stable, Al Ferof, exited the season prematurely due to a tendon injury. His chances now are on the shoulders of Kauto Star’s half-brother, Kauto Stone.
The field is now less Sizing Europe, Al Ferof and First Lieutenant.
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