Racing: A new superstar was crowned at Leopardstown as Sizing Europe put up a spine-tingling performance to deny the old guard in the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle.
Last year's hero Hardy Eustace, a dual winner of the Champion at Cheltenham, simply had no answer to the unexposed six-year-old who swept into the lead well before the penultimate flight and only had to be pushed out to collect by eight lengths.
Andrew McNamara saluted the crowd as he crossed the line aboard Henry De Bromhead's 100-30 winner, and his mount was immediately made favourite for the corresponding race at the Festival.
Sizing Europe had last been seen winning the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham in November as a dirty scope ruled him out of the race over Christmas won by Al Eile, who was pushed back to third on this occasion.
The winner will now bid to emulate Rooster Booster's achievements in the 2002/03 season as he captured both the Greatwood and Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdles.
De Bromhead said: "That is it guys, it is brilliant and I am speechless. To beat those horses the way he did is unreal and this is exciting isn't it? He was unreal and I am amazed and stunned at how he won.
"He pinged the last. After his fall in Punchestown we have really concentrated on his schooling and it is starting to pay off. I have never had a Champion Hurdle horse before but he has always looked a serious horse.
"He was slow at the first one down the back and I got worried when they started quickening that he may not jump as well, but he just winged hurdles after that and Andrew gave him a terrific ride.
"The faster they go the better it is for him as he is not a horse with a huge turn of foot and he needs a strong gallop."
Looking to the Champion Hurdle, he continued: "There will be plenty in the race and there are still a lot of good horses around like Osana and Sublimity."
McNamara was partnering Sizing Europe for the first time and owner Alan Potts was quick to confirm he would keep the ride at the Festival.
He said: "It is not possible to take Andrew off now. Timmy Murphy had the opportunity to ride but chose Al Eile so we can't take Andrew off as he has done nothing wrong."
McNamara added: "He felt fantastic and probably jumped too big at times, but it wasn't a problem for him. He travelled so well and I was a bit worried that he would use to too much energy, but it wasn't a bother and he galloped all the way to the line."
Dessie Hughes, trainer of veteran Hardy Eustace, was gracious in defeat but is keen to stay away from Sizing Europe in future.
He said: "We have run a great race but the winner is a super horse. You only have to look at the form to know it was a good race with our fellow being second and Al Eile, who is a Grade One winner, finishing third.
"I think we will probably sidestep the Champion Hurdle and avoid meeting the winner again, as he will be hard to catch anywhere. But we will go home and think about it before making a firm decision."