Sizing John, trained by Jessica Harrington took the spoils in a thrilling renewal of the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday.
On his first start over three miles in the Grade One contest, the seven-year-old travelled supremely throughout the contest behind long-time leader and heavily supported 9/4 favourite Don Poli who set a strong pace.
The well-backed 100/30 shot jumped brilliantly under Robbie Power and after the last found plenty for pressure to repel the sustained challenge of Don Poli and stable-mate Empire Of Dirt who came through for second, three-quarters of a length behind the winner. Don Poli was a further three-quarters of a length back in third.
Winner of the Kinloch Brae at Thurles last time, the son of Midnight Legend was coming out of Douvan’s shadow upped in trip having finished in the placings behind Willie Mullins’ monster on no less than seven occasions.
A delighted Harrington who will now target Racing’s Blue Riband event, the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March told At The Races: “He was brilliant. It’s fantastic to have a horse like that for Alan and Ann (Potts, owners), who has finished so close to Douvan on many occasions.
“That was his first time over three miles and he jumped, travelled and did everything we had hoped he would.
“He jumped really well and he was just brilliant. Once he went past two and a half miles we knew he was into unknown territory, but we fully expected he would stay three miles and he did.
“Whether he will stay three miles two and a half furlongs at Cheltenham (in the Gold Cup) is another question and I’ll have to speak to Alan and Ann about it, but on good ground there’s a chance he will.”
The victory was also sweet for jockey Robbie Power who only recently returned to injury having suffered a ruptured disc in January. He 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.”
Allan and Ann Potts’ gelding is a general 14/1 shot for the Gold Cup and 8/1 for the Ryanair Chase over two and a half-miles.
The three other Grade Ones on the card were taking by Gordon Elliott’s Mega Fortune (Spring Juvenile Hurdle, 9/2), Willie Mullins’ Bacardys (Deloitte Novice Hurdle, 12/1) and Noel Meade’s Disko Flogas Novice Chase (6/1)
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