Gold Cup hero is cut down to size
ODDS- ON favourite sizing John finished in distress as he suffered a shock defeat behind Road To Respect in yesterday’s Grade One Leopardstown Christmas Chase.
sizing John almost walked across the line in seventh, beaten 32 lengths by the sean Flanagan-ridden, Noel Meade-trained 8-1 winner.
The first defeat for Jessica Harrington’s Cheltenham Gold Cup winner in seven races — since he started contesting staying chases — prompted a raft of changes to the betting for next year’s Gold Cup.
Nicky Henderson’s King George VI Chase winner Might Bite was promoted to 7-2 favourite, while sizing John was lengthened to 8-1 by several bookmakers.
On a sparkling comeback in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown earlier this month, sizing John had looked the same gelding which won three Grade One chases last season in dominant fashion.
Level-headed jockey Robbie Power conceded the horse had been unhappy with a circuit to go, but warned against an overreaction.
He said: ‘Going past the winning post first time, he was not travelling with his usual zest. He didn’t spark and the vets found something wrong with him. He’s sound and hopefully it is nothing too serious.’
Willie Mullins-trained, dual Festival winner Yorkhill also blew out and crawled over the line 27 lengths behind sizing John.
Mullins said: ‘I’m not sure he has a career as a three-mile chaser.’
Road To Respect won a handicap chase at last season’s Cheltenham Festival. The gelding is 10-1 for the Gold Cup but the big question over yesterday’s form is the proximity of second and third — 66-1 shot Balko Des Flos and inconsistent 16- 1 chance Outlander.
Mullins’ eight-time Grade One scorer Nichols Canyon died after a fall in the Christmas Hurdle, won by Gordon Elliott’s Apple’s Jade.
Nichols Canyon is the only horse to beat stablemate and 2015 Champion Hurdle winner Faugheen, and Mullins will be desperate for a drama-free race when Faugheen lines up in this afternoon’s Grade One Ryanair Hurdle (2.30).