Jumps Stable Tours: Jessica Harrington on Sizing John

Jessica Harrington is hopeful that Sizing John can return to his best form following his return from Injury that ended his 2017/18 season prematurely. Sizing John was unable to defend his Gold Cup crown at the Cheltenham Festival in March when connections were forced to withdraw the horse due to a fractured pelvis.

The Injury forced the eight-year-old to miss the remainder of the season but Harrington is pleased to see Sizing John showing signs of his old self.

"Sizing John is doing really well, we are very happy with him. He did a lot of rehab after he had the injury with a short time out in the field where he put on at least 40 kilos, much to my horror. He’s in great order, doing a lot of work and thinning down but still has a good way to go before he is fully fit," said Harrington.

The dual-purpose trainer is yet to decide where Sizing John will start this season but she hasn’t ruled out a return to the John Durkan Memorial Chase (Grade 1) at Punchestown, a race that he won last year.

"He’ll be entered in the Jim Nicholson Wine Chase at Down Royal and he will also get an entry for the Fortria Chase in Navan. if neither of those work, he could still go back to the John Durkan at Punchestown, the race that he won last year first time out."

Another of the stable’s stars, Supasundae, will be looking to pick up where he left of last term when he was last seen winning the Champion Hurdle at the Punchestown festival.

When reflecting on last year’s achievements and questions over Supasundae’s optimum trip, Harrington said, “Supasundae became our star. The only time he won last season was in the two Irish Champion Hurdles, one in Leopardstown and one in Punchestown, both over two miles. When I ran him over two and a half or three miles, he was ultra-consistent. He was second twice over three miles, and he was second and third over two-and-a-half-miles. A really consistent season, he’s a real superstar."

Looking ahead to this season, Harrington has highlighted the Unibet Morgiana hurdle as an early season target. That could set up a mouth-watering clash with the Gordon Elliot trained Samcro who fell when the pair last met in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle.

"Supasundae came in great condition and he’s in really good form. This year we could start off with the Unibet Morgiana hurdle at Punchestown, or the two-and-a-half-mile hurdle at Fairyhouse, the Hatton’s Grace," said Harrington.

When quizzed on her targets for this season, Harrington added: "It would be great to get Sizing John back as I would love to win another Gold Cup. Supasundae, whether we go for the three mile or the Unibet Champion Hurdle, that depends; and probably depends most on the ground."

Of the younger horses, Harrington will be hoping that a few of them will be able to follow in the footsteps of their senior stablemates.

"One horse I am really excited about is Sizing Pottsie going over hurdles, and another horse I really like is envious editor, I think he is a lovely horse."

Harrington also revealed that Sizing John’s half-brother will soon be joining them at the yard, something she is very excited about: "He’s never run, he’s a four-year-old and I have just seen a video of him and he looks amazing!"

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