Robbie Power and Sizing John© Photo Healy Racing
Robbie Power reports Sizing John “in great form” after partnering the 2017 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero in a Thursday morning workout.
Jessica Harrington’s charge win the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Punchestown Gold Cup in the spring of 2017 and made a hugely impressive start to the last campaign in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase.
However, he disappointed when a hot favourite for the Leopardstown Christmas Chase and has not been seen in competitive action since.
Speaking in his Boylesports blog, Power said: “I was reunited with my Gold Cup-winning partner Sizing John on the gallops on Thursday morning and I can confirm that he was in good condition, having not been seen since his appearance at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting last year.
“He was in great form when I rode out on him this morning, he looks fantastic and was moving well. He’s come back in great shape and while he’s just doing steady cantering at the moment, he got a good grip and put my shoulder up to a good test.
“I’d imagine we’d see him back at the track in November because there are plenty of opportunities at the likes of Navan or Down Royal and it won’t be before that. We’ll just take it one day at a time and see how his progress goes.”
Power himself has been off the track since winning aboard Jack Fiasco at Punchestown on June 13, having since undergone shoulder surgery.
He added: “My own return to the track should be more imminent following surgery on my shoulder.
“I’m coming along great, I’ve been out riding for two weeks now and I actually schooled a couple at Jessica Harrington’s yard this morning.
“Everything is feeling good so I hope to start back at Sligo or Killarney next week.”
