SIZABLE TASK

Superstar John returns but long layoff may cost him

THE return to action of 2017 Gold Cup hero Sizing John will be the focus of attention at today’s traditional New Year’s Eve meeting in Punchestown, the last action of 2019.

The injury-plagued nine-yearold completed a superb Gold Cup hat-trick in 2017, landing the Irish, Cheltenham and Punchestown Gold Cups in the spring of that year.

But Jessica Harrington’s, inset, charge hasn’t been seen for 733 days and, for that reason, is probably best watched today as he contests the Bet With The Tote At Punchestown Hurdle, with Barry Geraghty deputising for the stooddown Robbie Power in the saddle.

The feature has attracted a field of seven, including four Willie

Mullins-trained contenders. And stable-jockey Paul Townend’s decision to partner Saglawy sways me in favour of this 147-rated performer, whose last success came on the flat at Listowel in September.

Since then, Saglawy finished unplaced in both the Irish

Cesarewitch and

Naas November

Handicap. And, back over hurdles here, he’s no more than a hopeful choice in a race which also features

English Cesarewitch winner Stratum and Irish Grand National victor Burrows Saint, well-beaten on his seasonal debut behind Fakir D’oudairies in the

Grade 1 Drinmore at Fairyhouse. Earlier, Salsaretta, also representing the Mullins/ Townend partnership, is napped to land the Tote Sponsor Punchestown Mares Chase. A dual winner of hurdles at Sligo and Limerick (where she beat subsequent Grade 1 winner Felix Desjy), Salsaretta campaigned in Grade 1 company for the remainder of last season.

And she made an impressive start over fences when bolting-up over this course and distance last month, showing an admirable appetitite for jumping fences before beating Galvin by eight lengths.

Salsaretta is expected to build on that success here, against just four rivals, notably Henry de Bromhead’s Kupatana, formerly with Paul Nicholls and better than her two outings for current connections suggests.

Joseph O’brien, who continued in top form over Christmas, particularly with his bumper horses, might double-up for J P Mcmanus with Martin Pipe winner Early Doors, runner-up on his only chase start (at the Galway Festival) in the opener and the disappointing Pasley, which might make it third-time-lucky over flights in the three-year-old maiden hurdle.