The market strongly suggested that China Rock (5/2 in the morning into 6/4) would be a major factor after his Gowran win for the Star 'Best For Racing Coverage' Steeplechase and so it proved as he prevailed by seven lengths from the very easy to back favourite, Sizing Europe at Punchestown.
Ruby Walsh (completing a double after Inspector Clouseau s win in the first) gave China Rock a fantastic front-running ride and he kicked on from the fourth last. Sizing Europe stuck gamely to his task but couldn't get any closer than the winning margin. Siegemaster made a satisfactory reappearance too, just five lengths further back, last of the three to finish as Jadanli fell.
Mouse Morris said of the Michael O'Flynn-owned victor: "That was great, I don't think we'll be going for any more handicaps with him. The Charlie Hall and the Nicholson Chase would be options for him now, we'll see how he comes on from it. His jumping was very good."
Meanwhile Henry De Bromhead was happy with Sizing Europe, saying: "I thought he ran well. He looked a bit rusty over the first couple. Ruby gave his lad a fantastic ride and he was always going to test us over the trip and test our fitness as well.
"Andrew (Lynch) said he gave a big blow after the fourth last and Ruby had gone on at that stage. He stayed at it well, I was happy but obviously I could have been happier. Andrew was happy and we were beaten by a good horse. I thought he ran on very well, it wasn't as if he stopped at the third last.
"He got caught out at the fourth last and fitness took its toll. He should come on a lot. My immediate feeling is to continue at three miles and fair play to Mouse and Ruby."
