Sizing John has his moment in Gold Cup lights
SIZING John enjoyed his moment in the spotlight as he gave trainer Jessica Harrington her first victory in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup with her first runner when coming home a clear-cut winner of jumping’s blue riband prize.
So often in the shadow of the mighty Douvan over two miles, the seven-year-old completed the English-Irish Gold Cup double in style to dispel any stamina doubts.
Given a patient ride by Robbie Power, Sizing John kept on strongly up the hill to score by two and threequarter lengths from Minella Rocco (18-1).
Djakadam travelled well for most of the race and looked as though he might end Willie Mullins’ hoodoo in the showpiece event, but Sizing John (7-1) pounced to lead between the final two fences.
Coral Welsh Grand National winner Native River (7-2), who went to toe to toe with Champagne West for the early pace, showed plenty of guts to be beaten just a short-head in third while Djakadam was fourth after making a costly jumping error at the second-last fence.
County Kildare-based Harrington said: “I can’t believe it, it was amazing how he jumped and travelled.
“Robbie said he wasn’t going to go down the inside, but he did. It’s absolutely fantastic, my first runner in a Gold Cup.
“He was running over two miles, but it was Robbie who said he would stay and he did.
“Thanks to everyone at home, it’s all down to the team. I can’t believe it, I’ve got to get a Classic now (on the Flat)!”
She added: “I’ve never had a runner in the race before so to train the winner – I don’t know when I’ll come down to earth.”
Power, who won the Grand National on the Gordon Elliott-trained Silver Birch in 2007, said: “Unbelievable, Jessica Harrington is a genius.
“I always said when this horse stepped up in trip he’d win. Everyone has done a top-class job, it means more than any winner I’ve ridden for Jessica.”