Sizing John out of Cheltenham
JESSICA HARRINGTON suffered a ‘massive blow’ yesterday with the news that Sizing John will not defend his crown in the Cheltenham Gold Cup next week. The eight-year-old carried all before him last season, but this campaign has not gone to plan after an impressive return in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown in December. He was sent off the hot favourite after that to win the Leopardstown Christmas Chase but was well-beaten in seventh place. And although Harrington was hopeful he was returning to his best for the Festival, a ‘hairline non-displaced fracture of his pelvis’ has dashed plans. Harrington said: ‘It is with a heavy heart I have to report that Sizing John will miss the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He cantered as normal this morning at Commonstown and during routine checks this afternoon was found to be sore behind. ‘I have had our vet Mark McRedmond come and check him over,’ she continued. ‘He has found a hairline nondisplaced fracture of his pelvis. ‘He will have box rest for two weeks and then be rescanned with a view of starting walking exercise. ‘This is a massive blow for the Potts family and for all our team here at Commonstown.’ Harrington is still set to be represented in the Gold Cup through Our Duke. Meanwhile, Willie Mullins was able to report that stable stars Douvan and Faugheen were in ‘great form’ after working yesterday. The pair are expected to feature in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and Champion Hurdle respectively. ‘Douvan and Faugheen are both in great form and both worked great this morning and it’s all systems go,’ said Mullins’ son and assistant trainer Patrick yesterday. ‘Min is in the Champion Chase and Un De Sceaux is in the Ryanair, so I don’t know about (race plans for) Douvan, but he’s in great form.’ Elsewhere, Ruby Walsh made a welcome return to action at Thurles yesterday with a winner. On his first ride since breaking his right leg in a fall at Punchestown last November, 38-year-old Walsh partnered the Mullins-trained Lareena to a five-length win. Asked if he was happy with his fitness, the jockey, who has been top Festival rider 11 times, said: ‘I thought I was all right anyway — she won didn’t she!’