Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
JOHN A MARCH
Sizzling Sizing strolls to win
GOLD Cup hero Sizing John made an impressive return to action when landing the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Chase in Punchestown.
Jessica Harrington’s stable star, virtually friendless in the market and usurped as favourite by old rival Djakadam, forged clear in the straight for Robbie Power to triumph by seven lengths.
The classy seven-year, winner of the Irish, Cheltenham and Punchestown Gold Cups last season, made a slight mistake at the second but otherwise produced another excellent display and is clearly as good as ever.
Harrington said: “It’s great to get him back. He was super. The early mistake woke me, Robbie and John up – that’s the first mistake I’ve seen him make.
“Robbie said that he had a good blow at the back of the second last so there should be plenty of improvement from him.”
Quizzed about plans, she added:
“It’s all about getting back to Cheltenham in March but what we do between now and then isn’t decided yet. This is over and done with now and we’ll take one race at a time. He could go to the King George or to Leopardstown for the Lexus or he could miss Christmas.”
Willie Mullins offered no excuses for Djakadam, which was bidding for a hat-trick in the Durkan but suggested that he might head for the Lexus.
Mullins did still enjoy a good Sunday with a double at both Punchrstown and Cork.
Prolific winner Un De Sceaux (David Mullins) made all to land the Grade 2 Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase in Cork, where Fabulous Saga (Danny Mullins) came home a 70-lengths winner of the three-mile Grade 3 novice hurdle.
Un De Sceaux (inset), winner of three Grade 1’s last season, including the Ryanair at Cheltenham, delighted his trainer, who wasn’t keen to outline plans for the gelding.
And in Punchestown, Mullins struck with odds-on favourite Getabird (Paul Townend) on his hurdling debut in the maiden and Hollowgraphic, a 13 lengths winner of the bumper.