Gold Cup hero Sizing John ruled out for the season

Jessica Harrington has been forced to rule out Sizing John from Sunday's Irish Gold Cup and the rest of the season after the 2017 Gold Cup winner suffered an injury in his final piece of fast work on Tuesday morning on the Curragh.

Sizing John had been on track to make his return to fences in the Paddy Power-sponsored Leopardstown showpiece for which he was a general 14-1 shot, less than a month after falling on his first start for over two years in a hurdle race at Punchestown.

However, Harrington was not happy with how the ten-year-old came out of his big-race preparation.

Harrington said on Wednesday: “He's out for the season and it's such a pity as he seemed to be in great form after working yesterday but he just wasn't right this morning. We had to make a decision and it's better safe than sorry.”

Harrington suggested Sizing John still has time on his side. She added: “We'd done everything with him, he'd been schooling and done the whole lot, and he really looks fantastic. It's a huge shame but hopefully he'll be back next year. He's only just gone ten and he has age on his side.”

The five-time Grade 1 winner was a 50-1 shot to repeat his 2017 success at Cheltenham in March.

Supasundae: the three-time Grade 1 winner runs at KilbegganCredit: Edward Whitaker

Sizing John may be on the easy list but Harrington could still win big at the Dublin Racing Festival with Supasundae, who is in line to run in the PCI Irish Champion Hurdle.

Harrington said: “He seems to be in great form. He's just been the usual slow burner this season – he takes a long time to get fit.”

She added: “We haven't managed to get a run into him but we're happy with where he is now and we're looking forward to getting him out. It looks an open division this year and the only race he’s in at Cheltenham is the Champion Hurdle.”

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