PUNCHESTOWN 14:05 2b5s52

All 6 ran. Fences: 15.

Time: 5m 32.5s Closing Sectional: (3.45f): 53.9s (105.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 109%, Betfair SP 100.1%

A terrific renewal of this Grade 1 featuring the much-anticipated return of reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Sizing John, who confirmed himself as the leading staying chaser around with a comprehensive defeat of old rivals Djakadam and Sub Lieutenant, looking better than ever in the process; the early pace seemed no stronger than fair and the 3 principals dominated throughout.

SIZING JOHN has been a revelation since ing this yard, the decision to up him in trip yielding an unprecedented Leopardstown-Cheltenham-Punchestown Gold Cup treble last season, and he looked better than ever in making this winning return from 8 months off; prominent, jumped well in main (bar an uncharacteristic blunder at the second), travelled strongly, jumped on 3 out, asserted from next, had bit in hand; will take all the beating if he defends his Gold Cup crown at Cheltenham next March and fully deserves his position at the head of that ante-post market on the back of this.

DJAKADAM (FR) was unable to complete a hat-trick of wins in this race but still ran respectably after 8 months off, simply bumping into a superior rival (now trails 0-3 in his head-to-head with Sizing John); prominent, typically travelled well, went on fourth, headed when not fluent 3 out (jumped okay otherwise), left behind by winner from home turn; consistent sort and entitled to be sharper for the run.

SUB LIEUTENANT (IRE) back down in trip, returned to something like last season's form (when also third in this race) in chasing home a couple of rivals who'd beaten him at least once previously; typically jumped well, led until fourth, remained prominent, shaken up after 3 out, stuck to task; should stay further, but he will presumably be kept at around 2½m following this.

A TOI PHIL (FR) ran about as well as could have been expected upped in grade; mid-division, not fluent 3 out, ridden home turn, plugged on, no match for principals.

CARLINGFORD LOUGH (IRE) has yet to hit form this season, but he shouldn't be judged on this run over an inadequate trip; waited with, still plenty to do halfway, pushed along some way out, never landed a blow; will benefit from return to 3m+.

SHANESHILL (IRE) fared no better after 11 weeks off and seems to have lost his way for the time being; dropped out, struggling soon after halfway, tailed off some way out, possibly amiss.