New kids on the block

The performance of the weekend definitely came at Leopardstown on Sunday, where Sizing Europe shot to the head of the Champion Hurdle market with a scintillating victory in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle.

The Henry De Bromhead trained gelding was always travelling like the winner and the result was never in doubt from the moment the horse took up the running before the second last. In the end, the margin of victory was 8 lengths, with the old warrior, Hardy Eustace, back in second. Al Eile was third.

Sizing Europe, who landed the Greatwood Hurdle from Osana on his previous start, will not now be seen again until the Festival and he looks a worthy favourite. Not only was his effort visually impressive, it also impressed the clock watchers, and those who snapped up odds about the horse of 8/1 for the Champion Hurdle before Sunday’s contest will be very pleased with themselves. If he makes it to Cheltenham in one piece, even the 3/1 currently available would look generous passed on this performance.

There is little doubt now that a new order has emerged among the top two mile hurdlers with the previous golden generation of Hardy Eustace, Brave Inca, Macs Joy and the like having been overtaken by the new kids on the block - Sizing Europe, Osana, Sublimity and Straw Bear.

Whilst the old guard were all guts, stamina and strength, the new stars seem to posses more of the turn of foot usually associated with Champion Hurdle winners, and it is not hard to envisage Harchibald, Sizing Europe and Sublimity all still being on the bridle jumping the last at the Festival. We could be in for something special!