DOWN SIZING
Reigning champion ruled out of Gold Cup
SIZING John has been ruled out of his Timico gold Cup defence at Cheltenham next Friday.
Trainer Jessica Harrington confirmed yesterday that the eight-year-old, due to attempt to become the first horse since Best Mate to win the Gold Cup back-to-back, has sustained “a hairline non-displaced fracture of his pelvis.”
She explained: “Sizing John cantered, as normal, this morning but, during routine checks this afternoon, was found to be sore behind.”
The nature of the injury was later discovered by vet’ Mark Mcredmond.
And Harrington (right) added: “He will have box rest for two weeks and will then be rescanned. It’s a massive blow for the Potts family and to all here at Commonstown.”
Sizing John’s unfortunate injury will, presumably, leave the door open for stable-jockey Robbie Power to partner Harrington’s other Gold Cup contender, Our Duke, for which Noel Fehilly had been provisionally booked. Nicky Henderson’s Might Bite is now the bookies favourite to strike gold next Friday. RYANAIR Chase 3-1 second favourite Waiting Patiently will bypass the race after trainer Ruth Jefferson revealed the seven-year-old, unbeaten in six starts over fences, is “not in peak form.”