Burrows Saint dominates from the front at Punchestown as Sizing John falls on return
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Sizing John suffered a fall on his long-awaited return to action as Irish Grand National winner Burrows Saint dominated from the front in the Bet With Tote At Punchestown Hurdle.
Sizing John completed the rare treble of the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, the blue riband at Cheltenham and the Punchestown Gold Cup in the first half of 2017.
However, although he made a flying start to the following campaign in the John Durkan, Jessica Harrington’s charge disappointed at Leopardstown over the Christmas period that year and injuries have kept him off the track ever since.
He was a 4-1 chance on his first competitive appearance in 733 days – and was in second place when crumpling on landing after jumping the the third flight the finish.
Sizing John soon rose to his feet and galloped on riderless.
Harrington reported her charge had emerged unscathed, and jockey Barry Geraghty said: “He felt great. He flew the third-last, but a stride after it he stumbled and didn’t get his landing gear out.”
Burrows Saint provided Willie Mullins with his very first Irish Grand National success last season and was 13-2 on his return to hurdling in the hands of jockey-of-the-moment Rachael Blackmore.
Blackmore steadily raised the pace in front and opened up a big advantage over the rest of the field racing down the back straight.
Following Sizing John’s exit, Burrows Saint was in a clear lead rounding home turn and galloped on strongly to score by three and a quarter lengths.
The winner’s stablemate Saglawy (7-4 favourite) made late gains to fill the runner-up spot, with Sayo and Stratum rounding off a one-two-three-four for the champion trainer.
Mullins said: “It was an enterprising ride and Rachael did what I asked her to do. She jumped out and galloped and the horse did it well. She said even when he was getting tired that when he 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.”
He added: “Sayo jumped poorly early on. We are probably going to abandon his chasing career as he doesn’t like jumping and it took him a couple of hurdles to come right.
“Paul (Townend) felt Saglawy wasn’t going for him and didn’t enjoy it. Stratum stayed on and there will be more opportunities for him.”
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