Sizing John wins thrilling Cheltenham Gold Cup

Ridden by jockey Robbie Power and trained by Jessica Harrington, the Irish challenger made it something of a perfect St Patrick’s Day for their connections by coming through the field in the closing stages to claim a thrilling win.

Victory gave Harrington a first victory in jump racing’s greatest prize, with Power also winning the Gold Cup for the first time.

It looked like Djakadam was going to finally go one better for Willie Mullins, but he faded late on to finish fourth.

Minella Rocco however stayed on strongly to claim a deserved second, while Native River was third.

In what was an open race ran at a good temp throughout, several horses were in contention as the field turned for home. However it was Sizing John who ultimately came with the telling push between the final two fences to win by two and three quarter lengths, in doing so completing a big-race double having won the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown back in February.

Speaking afterwards, Sizing John’s owner Alan Potts said: “It’s unreal. It’s a dream come true.

“Our first runner in the race, the jockey’s first ride in the race and trainer Jessica Harrington’s first horse in the race. It feels fantastic.”

Harrington said: “It’s just amazing. Sizing John has gone from two miles at Christmas to three miles here.

“It’s his jumping that got him here. I never seemed to have any stayers in the past. The team at home have been fantastic. I can’t believe it – I have to get a Classic now.”

There was disappointment for many people’s favourite, Cue Card, as history repeated itself when he fell three fences from the finish although he was clearly not travelling as well on this occasion compared to 12 months ago.

Similarly, the fairytale for Lizzie Kelly, the first female jockey to ride in the Gold Cup for 33 years, evaporated early in the race as Tea for Two fell at only the second fence.