Sizing John Lined Up For “Fascinating” Red Mills Chase At Gowran

Former Gold Cup winning jockey Robbie Power has said that there could be a thrilling showdown at the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park in a fortnight’s time as a stellar cast lines up to get in a run before the Cheltenham Festival.

Power said in his BoyleSports blog on Monday that Sizing John, whose comeback was further delayed this week by unsuitable ground at Leopardstown, could now actually benefit from his lengthy absence as he is aimed towards the Grade 2 race on February 16th.

He said:

The amount of non-runners in the Irish Gold Cup was disappointing and I don’t think we saw the winner of a Gold Cup in it.

“I think they fall a bit short of the likes of Presenting Percy, Thistlecrack and Native River. It could make for a fascinating clash in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran because I’d imagine Monalee, Balko Des Flos, Sizing John, Presenting Percy and maybe Footpad would all go there so it could be a fascinating race.”

He added: “Hopefully Gowran doesn’t dry out too much for Sizing John and patience is a virtue. In the long run, it just might all work for the best that we haven’t been able to race him in the winter, because if he stays fit and healthy, he could be contesting at three Festivals. If we get the run at Gowran Park, then we have Cheltenham, Punchestown and Aintree and we’ll have a very fresh horse for the Spring.”

Power also singled out Apple’s Jade’s Irish Champion Hurdle performance as highlight from the Dublin Racing Festival, and believes that Gordon Elliott’s mare will now go on to beat Buveur d’Air in the equivalent race at Cheltenham:

“Apple’s Jade was breath-taking. Supasundae ran his race and he was 16 lengths off her and it was another 6 lengths to Melon, who was only beaten a neck by Buveur D’air last year. So going strictly by the form book, Buveur D’air would have no chance of beating Apple’s Jade.”

She was unbelievable, it was very good performance and I think she’s the one to beat in the Champion Hurdle. If she turned up in that form, she’d be unbeatable.

We meanwhile have launched our non-runner no bet offer, meaning that from 9.00am on Monday morning February 4th, customers can place antepost bets on the big races knowing they will receive their money back in cash if their selection doesn’t end up running in the race.

It applies to the four Championship races at the Festival, the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle and Gold Cup, as well the Ryanair Chase.

Check out the latest horse racing odds here.