Sizing John in winning form© Photo Healy Racing
He may have been the outsider of five, but Sizing John (11/1) made all to grab an eventful running of the Grade One Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown. Nichols Canyon the 4/6 favourite for Willie Mullins, was settled in fourth of the five runners by Ruby Walsh but made a bad mistake and unseated his pilot at the third. His stable-mate Mckinley was pulled up shortly after the third flight after appearing to go wrong (thought to have had an overreach).
By this stage Sizing John was out in front. He had enough in the tank to assert before the last and put Sub Lieutenant away by six-and-a-half-lengths with Golantilla three parts of a length away in third.
Jockey Jonathan Burke said: "I'€™ve had two Grade 2 winners. It's great to get that first Grade One. I always held him in high regard from his bumper. He has proved himself at the highest level.
"I was keen to make it a test in front. He'€™s only four and he'€™s big. Wait until he sees a fence!"
Trainer Henry de Bromhead added: €"There were a few incidents, but it's great to win and a nice bonus. Our lad nearly ran out when the loose horse came by him. I'€™m delighted for Johnny as it'€™s his first Grade One win.
"I was disappointed with him at Gowran, but they told me Douvan is very highly regarded. I always thought he wanted better ground and the plan was to back off him after this and look to the spring."
This was an across-the-card double for de Bromhead as Barry Geraghty guided Special Tiara home in the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton.
De Bromhead commented: "Barry gave him a great ride. We were very worried about the ground going over there, but I'm absolutely delighted. It has been a great day."
Sizing John was given a quote of 16/1 by Ladbrokes for the Supreme Novices'€™ Hurdle, while Boylesports offered 20/1 and cut Douvan to 9/2 favourite from 6/1. Paddy Power introduced Sizing John at 33/1 for that Cheltenham contest.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
