5.30 Cheltenham
Boylesports.com Champion Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1) (5YO plus)
Winner €86,800
Advice: 2 pts Trifolium(4.20), Sizing Europe (5.30) , Sir
Des Champs (6.40) treble (2/1 Paddy Power)
Big Zeb: 6 time Grade 1 winner who was better than ever when
winning this last season, reversing Cheltenham form with then Champion Chaser
Sizing Europe; Not seemed at the same level the last twice, being beaten 15
lengths into second in identical conditions in Tied Cottage Chase before
distant third at Cheltenham; Hard to see him reversing that form on basis of
those efforts in this ground; Wears first time cheekpieces. 
Captain Cee Bee: Creditable third in this and Champion Chase
at Cheltenham last season but hasn’t been seen since disappointing eighth in
the Galway Hurdle 271 days ago; Tonguestrap today but looks a step behind the
top two here.
China Rock: Reached a high level over fences last season and
has improved this year too, winning a couple of very smart Grade 2 chases
before running third and fourth in Grade 1 events (travelling well until he
injured himself in Gold Cup last year); Back this season but poor runs on all 3
occasions and drop in trip not likely to be the answer, while better ground needed
for him. 
Gauvain: In excellent form earlier this season, winning
impressively in conditions event before giving good beating to Somsersby in
Peterborough Chase; Those efforts give him decent chance but well held based on
his Ascot Chase third and wasn’t travelling well when falling in Victor
Chandler or Tingle Creek, while he was behind even Big Zeb in Champion Chase 
Realt Dubh: Useful over hurdles and better over fences,
landing pair of Irish Grade 1 races in a month before Arkle third; Yet another
big pot landed when winner of Powers Gold Cup last time but essentially handed
that race by fall of Noble Prince two out; Gutsy in defeat against Captain
Chris at least year’s meeting and while he was beaten miles into fifth in the
Champion Chase, that his first run of the season; Should do better here. 
Sizing Europe: Overcame poor season Champion Chase last year
in impressive style before being turned over by Big Zeb in last year’s renewal;
Thrashed Kauto Stone in Tingle Creek after failing to say 3 miles in Down Royal
Champion Chase and did same to Big Zeb in Tied Cottage Chase in January; Nosed
out in Champion Chase but strength of that effort underlined when Finians’
Rainbow hacked up in Melling Chase at Aintree and the one to beat here with
heavy ground seemingly not a problem based on his 15 length beating of Big Zeb
in February.
VERDICT: SIZING EUROPE was beaten here last year but has
gotten the better of Big Zeb that they have met this season by more than 10
lengths and is expected to do so here, with the heavy ground the only worry
over his chances. Those looking for value – he’s no betting prospect at 1/2 –
could pair him up with the other Grade 1 favourites or look towards Realt Dubh
– off for a year before coming back in the Champion Chase again, in the place
and betting without markets. Noel Meade’s charge is no stranger to heavy ground
and should be much straighter today with that run behind him, so he looks an interesting choice in the place or w/o Sizing Europe.
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