Sizing Australia gained his first win since the Cross-Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2011 when taking the opening Irish Field Chase (run over the banks' course) at Punchestown today for the De Bromhead/Potts/Lynch axis.

The 11 year old got the better of a thrilling conclusion to the race, eventually holding the late challenge of Tuesday's Ladies Cup winner Zest For Life with Star Neuville finishing well for third.

Afterwards winning trainer Henry De Bromhead stated “it's great to get a win here at the Festival (his first this week) but unfortunately Alan and Ann (Potts, owners) are not here but I'm delighted for the horse as he always runs well in these races. It's great to see him doing this as an 11 year old just as Sizing Europe.

He added “Andrew (Lynch) gave him a super ride and we've knocked a lot of fun out of Sizing Australia at these Festivals and hopefully he'll keep going for a while yet!”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee