Sizing rules Europe - Hurdler jumps to head of Champion market - Sport

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As soon as Andrew McNamara, having his first ride on the six-year-old, let out an inch of rein at the second last hurdle the result was never in doubt. The 9-2 offered by Sean Graham for the Champion Hurdle lasted the few seconds it took the racecourse announcer to complete the verdict on an equine annihilation. Corals make him 9-4 favourite, which is more realistic.

Irish eyes smiling: Andrew McNamara and Sizing Europe

Sizing Europe's victory in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last November, beating Osana, was visually impressive and the runner-up franked the form in the boylesports.com International a month later.

The race that pinpointed Rooster Booster, the 2003 champion, may again have highlighted this year's winner, even allowing for the fact that current champion Sublimity and Harchibald ducked the engagement yesterday.

Winning trainer Henry de Bromhead, 35, said: "He absolutely annihilated them — he was unreal. I am amazed, stunned. He was fantastic. Andrew gave him a fantastic ride and the faster they go the better it is for him. He had a lot of good horses behind him and yet he travelled so easily."

Dessie Hughes, trainer of runnerup Hardy Eustace, will not be taking him on again at Cheltenham.

Hughes said: "I'd say Sizing Europe is a super horse and we'll sidestep him at Cheltenham and go for the World Hurdle."

Ireland has dominated the hurdling scene since 2004, but at least Sizing Europe is owned by an Englishman — Yorkshire-born Alan Potts. He said: "You couldn't take Andrew (McNamara) off the horse now. Timmy Murphy rode him at Cheltenham in the Greatwood but he had the choice today and he chose All Eile (third)."

Meanwhile, trainer Tom Taafe reports that 2005 Gold Cup winner Kicking King is 'terribly well' follwing his return to action at Gowran Park on Thursday.

■ CONDITIONAL rider Michael O'Connell was referred to the BHA yesterday by stewards at Kelso after being found guilty of four separate whip offences on Zaffie Parson, third in the opener. He was judged to have 'used his whip with excessive frequency, excessive force, in the wrong place and causing the horse to be wealed'. c.mackenzie@dailymail.co.uk