Sizing shows stamina to land Irish Gold Cup

Sizing John dispelled any doubts about his stamina when claiming the Stan James Irish Gold Cup in style at Leopardstown this afternoon.

Jessica Harrington ’s charge has had to play second fiddle to the mighty Douvan so many times in the past but claimed the headlines for himself today in the Grade 1 feature.

Robbie Power, making his return from injury, produced his mount to challenge, travelling strongly, going to the last in the three-miler and he knuckled down well on the run-in

The well backed 100/30 shot (6/1 in morning) hit the front soon after the final fence from Don Poli

He was always doing enough as Empire Of Dirt finished to get within three-parts-of-a-length with the same margin back to 9/4 favourite Don Poli.

Sizing John was taking a significant step up in trip having spent most of his career running over two miles.

He had warmed up for the race by winning over two-and-a-half in the Kinloch Brae at Thurles last month.

Sizing John wins the Stan James Irish Gold Cup! pic.twitter.com/6TpFnGHjBW

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 12, 2017

“Robert said they went very steady and he was a bit keen over the first three fences and he kept wanting to go,” said Harrington.

“He said it was a good thing he made a mistake at the second last first time around as he sort of spat it out after that.

“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.

“I have no idea of the plan and I have to talk to Alan and Ann. It makes for a nice decision.

“It’s my first runner in the Irish Gold Cup and my first winner. It’s very exciting.

“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.

“If he had won all those races he’d have started favourite for this race.

“Everyone was doubting that he would stay and I got a bit more worried when the ground got soft, as I think he’s a horse that’s probably better on slightly better ground.

“He’s in all three races at Cheltenham so we’ll see what happens. He’ll be coming out of the Champion Chase though!

“They were all good Grade 1 horses so it was a fair test.”

When hearing Alary had fell today Harrington added:- “I’d say we’ll be going for the Gold Cup. I don’t know as I haven’t spoken to Alan yet.

“He really wanted to win this race. I suggested we might come here and he said ‘that’s a race I’d love to win’.

“To win any race is brilliant and to win a Grade 1 is fantastic.

“That’s only his third run this year so he’s a relatively fresh horse. We’ll freshen him up now and get him right.

“Robbie was absolutely delighted. He said after Thurles he will relish going up in trip to three miles as all he has been doing is galloping.”

Power added:- "He did a good piece of work the other day, and when I got off him I told Katie (Harrington) I thought he was a certainty today.

"After he ran behind Douvan at Christmas I told Jessie to enter him in the Ryanair and the Gold Cup. His work at home always gives you the impression that he stays.

"They went very steady early on, and Don Poli is not the most natural front runner in the world. I was a bit surprised that Gigginstown didn't stretch the pace a bit more.

"I was definitely on the horse with the most toe in the race, and he settled very well. When they don't go quick then the first person to commit is in the best position. A faster pace would suit him even better, and he'll learn alot from that race today.

"The original diagnosis I got was that I would be out for six weeks (after suffering a back injury at Gowran on Thyestes Day), so it's great to make it back quicker and be able to ride today."

Gordon Elliott filled the places with Empire Of Dirt and Don Poli and he said:-

“They both ran good races. I suppose with Don Poli we’ll look to run in the Gold Cup and Grand National,” said Elliott.

“Empire Of Dirt could be a horse for the Ryanair the way he travels.

“We have no excuse. The winner is a really good horse and he beat us fair and square. We’re happy enough.”

Sizing John is now 10/1 from 12/1 for the Gold Cup with Paddypower. Betfair go 12/1 from 20/1 while Ladbrokes are 14/1 from 25/1.