de Bromhead pleased with Europe Sizing Europe is on track for the Grade 1 inforthenight.ie Novices’ Chase at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day, the 27 entries for which were released today. The Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding, winner of the Toshiba Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in 2008, has been scintillating in all three of his runs over fences including last time in the Grade 2 Craddockstown Novices' Chase at Punchestown. “He’s in great form,” said de Bromhead this morning. “He came out of his last race at Punchestown well, he looks great, and it’s all systems go for Leopardstown now. It’s a great place, it’s a lovely track, you can get some nice ground there even in December, and we’re hoping for a big run.” Champion trainer Willie Mullins has entered no fewer than seven horses in the race including the exciting Sports Line, who won in impressive style at Navan recently. The 2008 Cheltenham Festival Bumper winner Cousin Vinny, yet to jump a fence in public, is also entered and Mullins plans to pitch the six-year-old into Grade 1 company over the Christmas period. "He has schooled and it has been so far so good with him. I would hope to get a run into him somewhere before Leopardstown." said Mullins. Edward O’Grady looks set to be represented by at least one of his top novices, Pesoto or Osana, while the Noel Meade-trained pair Jered and Harchibald together with Captain Cee Bee, Whatuthink and River Liane are other notable entries.
