PUNCHESTOWN 17:30 w2q25

All 6 ran. Fences: 17.

Time: 6m 23.6s Closing Sectional: (3.45f): 52.6s (102.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 114%, Betfair SP 100%

A highly-anticipated renewal of one of Ireland’s most prestigious staying chases, featuring 2 Cheltenham Gold Cup winners and a dual runner-up in that race, and it more than lived up to expectations, the leading trio producing a thrilling spectacle as they battled to the line, Sizing John crucially the only one to avoid an error at either of the last 2 fences.

SIZING JOHN completed a famous 4-timer, in the process becoming the first horse to win the Irish Gold Cup, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Punchestown Gold Cup in the same season, his performance one of grit and sheer determination, responding most willingly to overhaul both Djakadam and Coneygree in the straight after each of that pair made significant late errors; waited with, travelled well, headway before 4 out, close up when ridden entering straight, found plenty to lead dying strides; his exploits this season have done much to lift the shadow of his nemesis Douvan that threatened to hang over his career, and potential clashes next season with Douvan at 3m, the returning Thistlecrack and/or his exciting stablemate Our Duke are something to savour.

DJAKADAM (FR) found just one too good in this race for the third year in succession, though things might well have been different on this occasion had he jumped the last more fluently, still making the winner pull out all the stops in the aftermath; soon steadied, jumped well in main, travelled well, took closer order from sixth, led 2 out, ridden between last 2, ed when clouted last, edged out dying strides; he hasn’t won the amount of races that would normally be expected for one of his talent, but he deserves plenty of credit for his consistency and will remain competitive at the highest level for the foreseeable future.

CONEYGREE produced a performance right up there with his very best after 5 months off and would have given the first 2 even more to think about had he not made an uncharacteristic error just as things were starting to get serious; made running, went with zest, pressed on before 4 out, headed when clouted 2 out, rallied well approaching last, no extra final 50 yds; he's a fragile sort but clearly still every bit of the top-class staying chaser he looked when winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup as a novice in 2015.

CHAMPAGNE WEST (IRE) underperformed and was quickly brushed aside once the race began in earnest; led briefly early, chased leader from first, lost place approaching 4 out, soon beaten.

FLEMENSTAR (IRE) is a shadow of his former self, especially as far as this level of company is concerned, was never involved.

OUTLANDER (IRE) clearly wasn't 100% on the day and suddenly finds himself with questions to answer after 2 abject displays; waited with, not always fluent, never travelling well (reminders after fourth), behind when pulled up tenth.