TRAINER Henry De Bromhead will prepare Ireland's star chaser Sizing Europe for the defence of his title at the Cheltenham Festival buoyed by his stunning performance yesterday.

Last year's Queen Mother Champion Chase hero hammered former king pin Big Zeb in the Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown.

Ridden by Andrew Lynch, Sizing Europe stormed to a 15-length victory over his great rival, who was partnered by Robbie Power.

De Bromhead said Lynch got his tactics spot-on in the testing conditions, but he remained cautious about his chances of retaining his crown at Prestbury Park on March 14.

"I'm delighted. Fair play to Andrew," he said. "I told him to go out and enjoy it and use his stride and his jumping and that's what he did.

"That's how he needs to race if he's to win. We said we'd make it a good gallop and see how we go.

"I'd say that's as impressive as he's ever looked on that ground.

"He was amazing today, but Robbie sat up when he realised he was beaten so it was probably exaggerated.

"I'm never confident, especially going to a place like Cheltenham, as it's five weeks away yet."

Big Zeb's trainer Colm Murphy said the 2010 Champion Chase winner wasn't at his best in the conditions.

"Robbie was never happy with him today and he said he was always niggling just to keep in touch," he said.

"Robbie said he was beaten before the first fence.

"We'll improve for the run, but we'll have to."

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