Sizing John backed to strike gold again

Cheltenham hero

SIZING JOHN can continue his breathless ascent by winning the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup on day two of the big Irish festival, writes The

Ferret.

Jessica Harrington has done a mildly astonishing job with this seven-yearold since he stepped up distance, having found Douvan a continual pain in the backside over two miles.

Victory in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown offered a teasing glimpse of what was to come in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, in which he had nearly three lengths in hand of nearest pursuer Minella Rocco.

It is mightily tough to envisage those that finished behind him in the Gold Cup – Djakadam, Champagne West and Outlander – turning the form on its head at Punchestown.

And though 2015 Cheltenham sensation Coneygree is a truly exciting contender, he surely has it all to do on his first start back from injury. PENHILL can also confirm festival form in the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle.

Willie Mullins’ fouryear-old will probably always sneak beneath the radar, but the Albert Bartlett form is usually watertight and this season’s renewal should be no exception.

Penhill looked super classy along the Cheltenham run-in when he pulled a good way clear of Monalee, who renews rivalry at Punchestown.

The upwardly-mobile Presenting Percy looks the biggest danger, but Penhill could be a operating on a different level.

Dramatic Cheltenham Bumper winner Fayonagh runs in the Punchestown Champion INH Flat Race, but she might have to play a supporting role behind

SOMEDAY.

Harrington’s representative was thought likely to be a big player at the festival in March but he was withdrawn on the day of the race.

Compensation can be sweet for a horse who clearly has a future on the evidence of his cool, calm and collected Leopardstown success in February.

SELECTIONS:

PERTH: 2.00 Coole Hall, 2.35 Vic’s Last Stand, 3.05 Aintree My Dream, 3.35 Cultram Abbey, 4.10 Shaiyzar, 4.40 Petite Power, 5.10 Sleepy Haven.

PUNCHESTOWN:

3.40 Close Shave, 4.20 Battleford, 4.55 Penhill, 5.30 Sizing John, 6.05 SOMEDAY (NAP), 6.40 Irish Cavalier, 7.15 Mystic Theatre.

DOUBLE: Someday and Sizing John.

Picture: Getty Images. Fox Norton, right, ridden by Robbie Power, clears the last to win The Boylesports Champion Steeplechase from Un De Sceaux at Punchestown yesterday on the opening day of the festival. The 5-2 chance, trained by Colin Tizzard, pulled clear on the run-in...