The three mile trip of the Topaz Novice Chase at Leopardstown this Christmas could be key to Sizing Rio’s chances of joining an illustrious Grade One roll-of-honour.
The subsequent Cheltenham festival winner Back In Focus won a memorable renewal of the race also known as the Fort Leney last year while other star names to have won the Day Four festival highlight include Bostons Angel (2010) and Notre Pere (2007.)
Sizing Rio finished fourth to Don Cossack in the two and a half mile Drinmore at the start of the month but trainer Henry De Bromhead is hopeful a step up to three miles can help his horse.
“He stayed on at the end the last day and hopefully three miles will suit him better. He’s in good form,” he said yesterday.
Another star De Bromhead novice, Sizing Gold, made an impressive debut over fences at the weekend but is likely to miss Christmas and wait instead for the Grade Two Woodlands Park Chase at Naas next month.
Meanwhile, bookmakers reckon the young up-and-comer Our Conor has it all to do against the reigning champion Hurricane Fly in their intended Christmas clash in Leopardstown’s Ryanair Hurdle, and Ruby Walsh reckons they’re right.
Paddy Power make Hurricane Fly an odds-on favourite to confirm his place at the top of the hurdling tree with Our Conor ahead of Jezki in their ante-post betting.
Walsh is eagerly-anticipating teaming up with Hurricane Fly again over the holiday period and reckons the four-year- old Our Conor has a lot to prove.
“Our Conor looked an exceptional juvenile. The way he won the Triumph was breathtaking. But this is a big step up for him. He’s only a four-year-old, taking on an older, hardened horse like Hurricane Fly. It will be a big step up,” he said..
