Sizing John falls on return as Burrows Saint boosts Grand National claims

The return of 2017 Gold Cup winner Sizing John was always going to be the most talked-about element of the afternoon's proceedings, no matter where he finished in the feature 2m4f conditions hurdle at Punchestown.

But despite taking a fall at the third last, it was a strangely satisfactory outcome which did not raise many question marks.

Barry Geraghty replaced regular rider Robbie Power, concussed after a fall at Leopardstown on Saturday, and for most of the race he was jumping away and travelling well in the group that chased clear leader Burrows Saint. At the third last he had jumped into second place but just stumbled on landing and took what could almost be described as a novicey fall.

Sizing John's half-sister Anythingforlove upholds family honour at Uttoxeter

Geraghty said: “It was going to plan and he absolutely flew the third last but he just seemed to stumble, he couldn't get his landing gear out fully. He probably just isn't used to jumping at that speed. He felt great up to that.”

The horse galloped away loose and jumped the last couple of hurdles too. There was no shortage of enthusiasm.

Trainer Jessica Harrington said: “Barry was delighted with him, he said he came alive at the third last. He jumped the hurdle perfectly but gravity took over! He did everything right up till then.”

She added: “He's going to be sore tomorrow, that was a heavy fall, so we'll see how he is before making any more plans. Races like the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles [January 19] and the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park [January 23] are there for him but we'll check him out in the morning first.”

Almost relegated to a footnote here was the fact that Willie Mullins saddled the first four home in the race, with the enterprising front-running tactics employed by Rachael Blackmore on Irish Grand National winner Burrows Saint paying dividends.

Rachael Blackmore: victorious aboard Burrows Saint on TuesdayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The duo were well clear for most of the way, eventually scoring by a diminishing three-and-a-quarter lengths from stable companions Saglawy, Sayo and Stratum.

Mullins said: “It was an enterprising ride from Rachael and she did what I asked her to do. She jumped out and galloped and the horse did it well.

"She said that even when the horse saw a hurdle he wanted to gallop down to it. He loves jumping. That was a nice surprise as he wasn't well treated by the conditions.”

Burrows Saint was cut to 14-1 from 20-1 for the Randox Health Grand National by Paddy Power.

It was not the happiest day at the office for Jessica Harrington at a track where she normally enjoys better luck. Her other two runners on the day, Discordantly and Polished Steel, also fell in the beginners chase and handicap hurdle respectively.

“Three runners, three fallers, and they're all good jumpers,” she said.

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