Sizing John returns but 'may need to go to Weight Watchers'

The whiff of freshly cut grass may fill the air but Jessica Harrington has already welcomed her winter squad back to her County Kildare stables – and she admitted it's not a day too soon for Cheltenham Gold Cup winnerSizing John.

“I think Sizing John is going to have to go to Weight Watchers as he's come back in looking fantastically big and really enjoyed his summer break,” she said on Saturday.

“Both he and Supasundae look great. Most of our jumpers are back in, but Our Duke is not due back to us for a little while longer.”

Early-season plans are still some way off being made for the Gold Cup hero, and Harrington added: “For the next couple of weeks he'll do a lot of walking and will be kept on a long rein.

"He's still a long way off running and won’t be ridden for another few weeks. We'll just build him up slowly. He's done very well and hopefully things continue to go to plan."

Sizing John is a best-priced 6-1 to successfully defend his Cheltenham crown next year.

2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup
Coral: 6 Sizing John, Thistlecrack, Yorkhill, 8 Our Duke, Might Bite, 12 bar.