Cheltenham Festival – Sizing John enters the Cheltenham Gold Cup picture with Irish Gold Cup success
SIZING JOHN, previously best known for being Douvan's bridesmaid on a number of occasions, finally enjoyed his day in the sun as he won the Stan James Irish Gold Cup.
Sizing John proved capable of stepping up in distance when landing the two-and-a-half-mile Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles last month, but this was his first try over three miles.
It proved a thorough examination of his stamina, with Don Poli and Road To Riches ensuring a searching gallop from flag-fall.
But Jessica Harrington's 100-30 chance Sizing John cruised powerfully into contention under Robbie Power and showed plenty of heart when he needed it after a bold leap at the final fence, to prevail by three-quarters of a length.
Harrington said: "He was just brilliant. He was still cantering turning in, as far as I could see, and when he asked him he quickened up. I know he didn't win very far, but he still won and he wasn't stopping.
"It's my first runner in the Irish Gold Cup and my first winner. It's very exciting."
A shot at Cheltenham Gold Cup glory could now be on the cards.
"I'd say we'll be going for the Gold Cup. I don't know, as I haven't spoken to Alan and Ann (Potts, owners) yet," Harrington added.
"He looks like a three-mile chaser rather than a two-miler. Seven times he's been beaten by Douvan, second five times and third twice.
"He's in all three races at Cheltenham so we'll see what happens. He'll be coming out of the Champion Chase though!"
Power, who had rushed back from injury to ride the winner said: "We were in a good position as we hadn't gone quick and I always think that when you don't go quick, the first one to commit is in the best position.
"I think he will have learnt a lot from this race today. He'll have learnt to relax a bit better and I've thought, from the first day I rode him here at Christmas, that he stays well. He galloped the whole way to the line."
Empire Of Dirt narrowly beat stablemate and 9-4 favourite Don Poli to the runner-up spot, with Carlingford Lough, winner of the last two renewals of the Grade One showpiece, only fourth on this occasion.
Willie Mullins won the Deloitte Novice Hurdle for the fifth successive year, but it was not the result most were expecting.
Saturnas was the heavily backed 5-4 favourite to follow up his win at this venue over Christmas under Ruby Walsh, but was in trouble a long way from home and eventually finished last.
Bunk Off Early looked set to strike gold after cruising into the straight, but he was powerless to resist the late surge of stablemate Bacardys (12-1), who got up by three-quarters of a length under Patrick Mullins.
Mullins, who saddled six runners in total, said of the winner: "I'd imagine the Albert Bartlett would be the one for him, but I have two or three others for the race so we'll see."
He added of Bunk Off Early: "He jumped well and he'll improve hugely for jumping at that speed, as that was only his second run over hurdles.
"We think of him more as a two-mile horse rather than two-and-a-half or three. The way he travels we'll be going for the shorter options.
"Saturnas was never going. We'll go and investigate that and see what's up. I thought he'd like this heavy ground, but maybe the ground didn't suit him."
Mullins' title rival Gordon Elliott did not leave empty handed, claiming Grade One honours with Mega Fortune in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle.
The 9-2 chance comfortably reversed form with the Mullins-trained Bapaume, who had beaten him the last twice.
Elliott said: "We knew with a bit of ease in the ground and the cheekpieces today it was going to be a different story.
"We'll go to the Triumph Hurdle now, that's the plan. Cheltenham will suit him."
The other top-level prize on offer was the Flogas Novice Chase, which went to Noel Meade's bold-jumping grey Disko (6-1), giving rider Sean Flanagan a Grade One winner.
The JLT Novices' Chase could be his Cheltenham target.
"It's a great thrill to have one to jump as well that and it never really looked a problem, he was gaining ground at every fence," said Meade.
"I'd say Cheltenham ground will suit him all right - the usual Cheltenham ground."
Race-fitness was key as the Ted Walsh-trained 2-5 favourite Foxrock saw off Enda Bolger's returning hero On The Fringe in the Leopardstown Inn Hunters Chase.
Who's That (9-2) won the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Mares Handicap Hurdle for the third successive year under Rachael Blackmore, while the Tom Mullins-trained Grand Partner was a 14-1 winner of the 1888 Restaurant Handicap Hurdle in the hands of his nephew, Danny.
The concluding bumper went to Harrington's Someday (3-1), ridden by her daughter, Kate.
