Sizing Europe Confirmed for Champion Chase

With the 2011 Cheltenham Festival drawing nearer by the day, the ante post action has begun to heat up significantly and one of the most important confirmation yet has emerged as Ryanair Chase fancy Sizing Europe has been confirmed for the Champion Chase despite being the leading contender for the Ryanair.

Last year’s winner of the Arkle Challenge Trophy, Sizing Europe has been facing off against some of the premier chasers in the UK and Ireland – failing to hit the board since his victory on the opening day of last year’s festival. A second place finish to Kauto Star in the JNwine.com Champion Chase was followed up by a mistake in a Grade 2 contest at Punchestown where Henry De Bromhead’s charge finished a tame third.

Taking the option for the Champion Chase means that Sizing Europe’s connections intend to keep him facing off against better-fancied contenders and, with a number of hot contenders in the mix for this year’s penultimate 2m contest.

Master Minded has been standing strong as the favourite for this one since the ante post market was revealed and he’s being bet down as low as 2/1. The impressive Big Zeb remains a 7/2 shout while Somersby and Woolcombe Folly hover in the 6/1-8/1 corridor.

Sizing Europe has been installed at a best-price 16/1 and will likely factor into the ante post reckoning immediately. The move has pushed the Ryanair market into a much more open capacity with Poquelin trimmed to 7/2 this morning.