Brilliant John makes history at Punchestown Sizing John became the first horse to win the Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Punchestown Gold Cups in the same year when winning a brilliant renewal of the Coral-backed 2017 renewal of the big one at Ireland's National Hunt festival. The 2015 Cheltenham Cold Cup hero Coneygree put it up to them from the front but he wasn't helped by a mistake at the penultimate fence. However important a detail that is, Djakadam's final obstacle blunder was more central to the eventual outcome as Sizing John eventually got his measure by just a short head. The gallant Coneygree ended up half a length back in third whilst there was all of forty two lengths to Champagne West in fourth. It wasn't looking good from early on for connections and backers of Outlander. He pulled up in the end. Jessica Harrington, doubling up on the day after her earlier win with Magic Of Light, said: "He never was travelling like he was in Cheltenham and it was probably one race too many. What a race - Sizing John wins the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup! pic.twitter.com/WNSWXy3ybL— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 26, 2017 "Pure guts got him there. "They made him go (Coneygree and Djakadam) in a serious way. They went some gallop. "He's also pulled off a front shoe so he had lots of excuses. "Robbie (Power) gave him a great ride and is riding out of his skin. He sees the strides at the fences, he has great faith in the horse and he instills confidence into the horse." Meanwhile Power himself expressed similar sentiments, saying: "All credit goes to the horse today because I was never happy at any stage of the race. "He didn't travel with the same fluency as he did at Cheltenham and he didn't jump with the same fluency. "He has a heart the size of a lion. He was a bit slow at the second last but he put his head down and battled all the way to the line. "He's had plenty of racing since Christmas so all credit to Jessie and the team for getting him here." Willie Mullins reflected on Djakadam's effort: "He's run a cracker. He likes this place and what more can you say. He knuckled a bit at the last but has jumped fantastic. "Jessie has her horses in tremendous form, and you just can't beat her at the moment." Ruby Walsh was adjudged to have used his whip with excessive frequency and failed to give his mount (Djakadam) time to respond, and was given a two days suspension. Paddy Power left Sizing John unchanged at 5/1 favourite for the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup. For the King George they go 10/1 from 16s about Djakadam. B.J. Cooper, rider of Outlander trained by Gordon Elliott, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was pulled up having never travelled and jumped poorly during this race. The Stewards interviewed R. Walsh, rider of Djakadam (FR), concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that R. Walsh was in breach of R10(3)(f) by using his whip with excessive frequency and R(10)(4) by failing to give his mount time to respond to the whip. Having taken his previous record into consideration the Stewards suspended R. Walsh for 2 racedays (AM & EM)
