< Sizing Europe got his new campaign off to a winning start in the PricewaterhouseCoopers Champion Chase at Gowran Park, but only after fate intervened to hand him the prize on a plate.
The Queen Mother Champion Chase hero looked to be booked for second spot at best as long-time leader Rubi Light arrived at the final fence in total command in the testing conditions.
But the six-year-old took a crashing fall and Andrew Lynch gratefully accepted the chance as he pushed out Henry de Bromhead's evens favourite to beat Coolcashin by a length and three-quarters.
Tom Doyle landed a double initiated by Springfield Way who got home by a head from Thewesthowaya after a duel up the run-in in the Golf Membership At Gowran 2012 Maiden Hurdle.< The Tall Texan came there looking like a winner but sprawled badly on jumping the second-last and handed the advantage to Thomas Walsh's seven-year-old (2-1 favourite), who battled on well to score.
It was another close call for Doyle in the Kilkenny 3-Y-O Hurdle as the Kieran Purcell-trained Burrenbridge Lodge (11-2) edged past long-time leader One Cool Shabra to score by a head after a rare tussle.
Tommy Treacy got off to a flying start on Bachelor Affair in the Gowran Christmas Party 15th December Handicap Hurdle and though Gerard Mullins' 7-2 shot was caught two flights out, he boxed on well to regain the lead for a length and a quarter victory.
The Gowran Park Racing Club 2012 Beginners Chase went to Paul Nolan's promising Westmeath (4-5 favourite), who led all the way and was rousted along by Davy Russell after the last to hold the challenge of Byerley Bear by a length and a half.
Tom Taaffe's Treacle (6-1) was an easy all-the-way 15-length winner of the Follow Gowran Park On Facebook Handicap Chase under Mark Walsh to give owner Bjorn Nielsen a timely boost ahead of his Arc bid with Masked Marvel.
