Punting pointers as Gold Cup winner Sizing John returns from two-year absence

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Harrington: 'We've done as much as we can with him'

Sizing John, winner of the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup, is the big attraction as he returns to action following a two-year absence from the track.

The Jessica Harrington-trained nine-year-old must defy a break of 733 days, having been on the easy list since finishing in rear in the 2017 Leopardstown Christmas Chase, a defeat that ended a run of five consecutive victories.

The winning sequence saw Sizing John land the Kinloch Brace Chase, the Irish Gold Cup, Cheltenham Gold Cup, Punchestown Gold Cup and a fourth Grade 1 victory over fences in the John Durkan Memorial Chase.

With regular rider Robbie Power ruled out because of concussion suffered in a fall at Leopardstown on Saturday, Barry Geraghty will partner Sizing John for only the second time, having ridden him to finish third in the Ryanair Novice Chase at the 2016 Punchestown festival on his final start for Henry de Bromhead.

Sizing John last ran over hurdles when finishing second to Douvan in a Grade 1 novice event at the 2015 Punchestown festival.

Harrington said: "We're looking forward to getting Sizing John back in action. Two and a half miles over hurdles will probably be a bit sharp for him these days, but he's ready to go, and we'll take it from here.

"I wasn't tempted to run him in another race. I've been waiting for this one, because once I spotted it I felt it looked just the right sort of race to bring him back in after all his time off.

"It won't be an easy race for him by any means with an Irish National winner [Burrows Saint] and a Cesarewitch winner [Stratum] in the line-up .

"We've done as much as we can with him and we just want him to come back safe and sound. It won't be a heavy slog and that will help him."

Townend plumps for Saglawy

Successful with Killultagh Vic in 2017 and Bachasson 12 months ago, Willie Mullins accounts for four of the seven runners, including this year's Cesarewitch winner Stratum.

Stratum (Jason Watson, blue) wins the Cesarewitch at Newmarket in OctoberCredit: Edward Whitaker

Stable jockey Paul Townend has elected to partner Saglawy, a dual winner over hurdles whose three most recent runs have been on the Flat.

Mullins said: "Saglawy will like the trip and the ground. He's probably the sharpest of our four and probably has the best chance. Paul picked him over the others."

Irish National winner Burrows Saint, third in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse on his most recent start, is the mount of Rachael Blackmore.

Mullins said: "Burrows Saint will probably have it all to do back over hurdles at this trip, but I want to get another run into him before he goes back over fences.

"The conditions of the race mean that Stratum has a 4lb penalty which won't help, but the ground drying out will be a plus and the trip won't be a problem. Sayo was disappointing over fences so we're hoping going back over hurdles will boost his confidence."

Elliott eyeing prize-money for Smart

Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud enjoyed a hugely successful Leopardstown Christmas festival and will be hoping to end the year on a high with Cracking Smart.

A leading fancy for the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival until ruled out by a setback, Cracking Smart has not won in the meantime, and Elliott said: "He seems in good form but it looks quite a good race and we're hoping he'll be competitive and pick up some prize-money."

Rock returns

The JP McManus-owned Kitten Rock, a six-time winner over hurdles, including at Grade 2 and Grade 3 level, will be making his first appearance since finishing in mid-division in the 2018 Galway Plate. Mark Walsh partners the Edward O'Grady-trained nine-year-old.

Selective watering of the hurdles course at Punchestown took place on Monday. The ground was described as "yielding, good to yielding in places" on the hurdles track, and "yielding, yielding to soft" on the chase course.

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