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CHELTENHAM Gold Cup hero Sizing John was ‘distressed’ at the end of the Christmas Chase at Leopardstown.
That was Robbie Power’s answer to questions regarding the horse’s poor showing in the big chase of the day. Sizing John was sent off ® odds-on having looked as good as ever on his seasonal return at Punchestown.
But he began to labour after coming under pressure entering the short home straight yesterday and stuttered home a well-beaten seventh behind the Gigginstown trio Road To Respect (8-1), Balko Des Flos (66-1) and Outlander (16-1).
The Turf Club stewards asked their veterinary officer to examine Sizing John and the seven-year-old was reported to be ‘clinically abnormal’ post-race. The Christmas Chase just keeps on giving to Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary who won the E150,000 race for the fourth consecutive season. Road To Respect’s star continues to rise since he joined Noel Meade to go chasing little more than 12 months ago. Since winning a Grade Three handicap chase at Cheltenham in March he has now developed into a top class operator and has added a couple of Grade One championship races. It was hard to disagree with Meade who said: “He’s a Gold Cup contender now. “Everything went according to plan. The hood obviously worked well. “Sean (Flanagan) rode him the other day and he said maybe a hood might help him to settle early on. “The horse settled great and Sean gave him a most beautiful ride.” Apple’s Jade earlier won the Christmas Hurdle for the O’Leary family – though not as easily as her 4-6 odds indicated would be the case. She scrambled home by half a length from 7-1 shot Supasundae.