News Round-UpSizing Europe's rout of his AIG Champion Hurdle opposition officially makes him the top two-miler hurdler in these islands, but there was also enough promise for the future in last weekend's display to provoke comparisons with the legendary Istabraq yesterday.
Ireland's senior handicapper has handed Sizing Europe a rating of 166, which is an increase of 23 lbs on the horse's previous mark and puts him a pound ahead of the current champion hurdler, Sublimity.
That puts Sizing Europe top of the pile among the two-milers and only the champion stayer Inglis Drever is rated ahead of him generally.
The handicapper, Noel O'Brien, is, however, like many others in terms of his anticipation of the heights Henry De Bromhead's new superstar could reach, and O'Brien did not hesitate to reach for some major names in trying to place Sizing Europe's potential in context.
"Sizing Europe could easily have been put up to 168 after Sunday but we're being just a little cautious at the proximity of Lounaos.
"I know she ran a big race in last year's AIG as well but from our point of view we felt it best to put him up to 166, which still makes him top of the two-milers.
"You would have to be impressed with Sizing Europe at Leopardstown and his potential ability must be huge. His progress has been massive, from winning his maiden, to running a fine race at Punchestown last year, then on to the Greatwood and now culminating in the AIG.
"Or maybe it will culminate in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham," said O'Brien yesterday.
Even a relatively conservative mark of 166 puts Sizing Europe within hailing distance of some of the legendary names of the past. The triple Champion Istabraq was rated in the low 170s at his best and Hardy Eustace, a dual Champion, was rated 169 at his peak.
"Hardy Eustace has held his form wonderfully but he's hardly improving at this stage of his career. Nevertheless, he and the likes of Brave Inca and Harchibald, there's been nick or nothing between them over the years and Sizing Europe destroyed him and Al Eile on Sunday.
"If Sizing Europe progresses again from Leopardstown to Cheltenham, then I would see no reason why he couldn't go into the low 170s, just like Istabraq," O'Brien added.
Henry De Bromhead didn't rule out the chances of a further improvement in his star performer yesterday and he reported that a couple of trips to the Curragh's Old Vic gallop may be the extent of Sizing Europe's trips away ahead of Cheltenham.
"He ran so well fresh at Leopardstown that we will just do his routine work and maybe take him to the Old Vic for a couple of gallops. That'll be it," the County Waterford trainer said.
"He seems to be improving the whole time. Andrew (McNamara) said he blew up three out in the AIG so one would think he would improve fitness-wise," he added.
Leopardstown's next feature will be Sunday week's Hennessy Gold Cup, which looks like being a target for the star two-miler Nickname.
Martin Brassil's ex-French star has been a prolific winner at the minimum distance but, despite having an entry in Sunday's Grade Two Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown, Brassil appears to be favouring an attempt at the three-mile Hennessy.
"I've entered him in the Tied Cottage as a precaution as much as anything. At this stage the Hennessy is the target. I'm hopeful he'll stay. He looked like he wanted further the last day at Gowran. But the horse is in good form, which is the main thing," said Brassil.
