Lynch best with Sizing Europe

Meath jockeys Andrew Lynch and Paul Carberry were the first two home in the eagerly-awaited novice chase at Punchestown on Thursday when Sizing Europe took on the Noel Meade-trained Harchibald on his chasing debut. Lynch guided the Henry de Bromhead-trained Sizing Europe to a 17-length success and the Meath rider was in front from six out after Sarteano fell, but Harchibald ran well on his first outing over the major obstacles. "That was unreal, he's a proper horse and could get three miles, he could be a Gold Cup horse next year," stated Lynch about Sizing Europe while Meade was also pleased. "I'm delighted, he came back safe and sound, we wanted to see if he would take to the fences and he did," stated the Castletown handler. "We'll see how he comes out of this. He always takes a run to get him right and the experience will help him," he added. Meade completed a double at the Kildare venue when Casey Jones won a chase impressively for Carberry who made the running with One Cool Cookie, which eventually finished fourth, The trainer indicated that the Hennessy would be the target at this stage of the season. "It depends what way the weights work out, but if he gets in with a reasonable racing weight we'd have to think about it," stated Meade. Donnas Palm initiated the double when justifying short odds (4/7) in a hurdle for a comfortable victory. The November handicap on the flat could be a possible target for the grey which won over two miles on the level at Navan for Timmy Carroll, a grandson of Frankie Carroll from Kildalkey. Meade maintained his impressive strike-rate when Barry Geraghty partnered his recent Fairyhouse winner, Darcey's Dancer, to victory in a novice hurdle at Cork on Sunday where Fisher Bridge finished second to Catch Me over the major obstacles. Kiltale-based Ger Lyons was in good form on the flat over the weekend. At his favourite track, Dundalk, Lyons saw Emmet McNamara win a handicap on Palazzone which challenged inside the final furlong. Lyons was unable to attend either Dundalk or Naas on Sunday due to illness. At Naas on Sunday Beat Surrender and Johnny Murtagh won the Birdcatcher for Lyons. Dunshaughlin-based Eddie Lynam's Riobamba landed a gamble to win a handicap at Cork on Saturday and may now be aimed at suitable races in England or France. The Tom McCourt-trained High Skies carried top weight to land a handicap chase at Downpatrick on Saturday where Navan jockey Andrew Thornton recorded his eight winner of the season with the Pat Martin-trained Irish Poli.