High-quality John Durkan Memorial Chase features return of Gold Cup hero Sizing John
Jessica Harrington's Gold Cup winning superstar makes a return to action at Punchestown but won't have it easy as he faces some quality rivals including two-time John Durkan winner Djakadam.
JESSICA HARRINGTON's Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Sizing John will make his eagerly-anticipated reappearance in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on Sunday.
Since joining Harrington's yard at the beginning of last season from the Henry de Bromhead stable, Sizing John's career has reached meteoric heights, largely aided by the step up from two-miles to three.
He went on to complete a famous treble of wins, emerging victorious in Grade One's at Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Punchestown.
Sizing John had been pencilled in for the first leg of the Jockey Club Chase Triple Crown at Haydock, but very testing ground ruled him out of the Grade One contest so he instead makes his comeback here.
"Obviously I'm delighted we didn't go to Haydock now," said Harington.
"In hindsight it looks a very good decision not to go there, he'd have had a very hard race first time out.
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"I'm happy to go to Punchestown over two and a half miles for his first run of the year, that will suit, I think.
"It's going to be a hot race, whatever happens, but as we'd been getting him ready for Haydock he should be fit enough."
Robbie Power was on board for all those wins and not surprisingly is looking forward to the race.
"It will be a fantastic race, Djakadam, Sizing John - it will be a proper Grade One," said Power.
Templegate's TV Tips
Aintree 1.30 - Goodtoknow: 'Has experience over the fences and form on testing ground'
Sandown 1.45 - Brain Power: 'There was a lot to like about his chasing debut'
Aintree 2.05 - Famous Milly: 'Chased home the smart Michouka and has heavy ground form'
Sandown 2.20 - William H Bonney: 'His promising fifth in the Greatwood should have put him spot on for today'
Aintree 2.35 - Flying Angel: 'His record on testing ground is excellent and he had his finest hour here'
Sandown 2.55 - Politologue: 'His slick jumping can put favourite Fox Norton under pressure'
Aintree 3.10 - Arctic Gold: 'Loves the mud and is nicely treated'
Sandown 3.30 - Benbens: 'Can go close with a repeat of his excellent second in the bet365 Gold Cup in April'
"He has Grade One form over two miles, he was second to Douvan in an Arkle and he was second to Douvan over two miles last year as well, so two and a half will be an ideal trip for him anyway.
"I'd say the only thing is we are probably going to have heavy ground, but it is what it is and we'll have to rock on.
"He was ready at Haydock and he's a couple of weeks fitter than he would have been going to Haydock, so fingers crossed he's ready to start and he'll start on a good note."
Djakadam has been a winning favourite the last two years, but has come up short at Cheltenham. There have been calls for him to stay over the intermediate trip, but Willie Mullins is not sure.
"He worked during the week, nothing like the piece Douvan did on Tuesday, but Djakadam isn't a horse who shows off anyhow," Mullins, who also runs Shaneshill, told At The Races.
"It's a very hot race this year. He does come alive a bit around Punchestown and he's fit and well.
"We're going to run and see what happens. I don't want to start planning things for Christmas.
"Usually after their first run, it's plain to see where they should go after that."
The De Bromhead-trained Sub Lieutenant, Gordon Elliott's A Toi Phil and the veteran Carlingford Lough complete the field.