SIZING UP A REPEAT
DEFENDING champ Sizing John will head straight to March’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Trainer Jessica Harrington reported the gelding has recovered well from his lacklustre run at Leopardstown last month and is nearing full fitness.
But the Kildare handler wants to freshen up her stable star who will now not take his chance in next month’s Irish equivalent back at the Foxrock venue.
It comes as two-mile superstars Altior and Douvan headed 30 entries for the Champion Chase at the Festival.
Meanwhile, Douvan’s trainer Willie Mullins is eyeing the Frank Ward Solicitors Novice Chase at Leopardstown in three weeks’ time for Footpad.
The Simon Munir and Isaac Souede-owned gelding is one of the most exciting chasers around and will warm up for the Arkle in the two-mile Grade One.
Alan King is considering a tilt at Doncaster’s Lightning Chase in two weeks’ time for the top owners’ other leading Arkle contender Sceau Royal.
■ KINGS ECLIPSE (3.10) can reign for Cumbrian handler Andrew Wilson on today’s trappy card at Sedgefield.
The eight-year-old slammed the useful Dick Darsie over course and distance on his chasing bow and can shrug off a 10lb hike under Brian Hughes.
The top jockey can also claim the Winter Conference Offer Handicap Hurdle on CANNY STYLE (2.40). Kevin Ryan’s mare landed her maiden in game fashion at Musselburgh and is open to plenty of improvement.
At Huntingdon STYLE DE GARDE (3.0) can take another step up the hurdling ladder in the Chatteris Fen.
Nicky Henderson’s French import hammered a strong field on his British debut at Newbury last month and can take this rise in class in his stride.
Henderson can bag a quick double with TERREFORT (3.30) in the novice chase. The gelding showed smart form in his native France and will take all the beating on his first run over British fences.
LE CAPRICIEUX (1.30) can take the conditionals’ hurdle for in-form Gary Moore. The gelding stayed on well to score over two miles at Plumpton and can come on plenty over four furlongs extra.
■ Former jockey Bryn Crossley has died in Spain at the age of 59.
Champion Apprentice in 1981, the Welshman partnered more than 200 winners on the Flat and tasted Group-race glory on Nepula in the 1983 Fillies’ Mile at Ascot.