Punchestown Gold Cup

[ekhibee]

Great race to watch this, Robbie Power seems to be riding out of his skin at the moment cos Sizing John had to work really hard to beat Djackadam and Coneygree. I thought Coneygree ran a great race, considering that's just his 3rd race since he won the Gold Cup himslef in 2015.

[Pretty Boy]

Difficult race to judge as you have to balance Coneygrees fragility and lack of match fitness against the long hard season for the other 2.

I'd say that Sizing John is a serious 3 miler. He was a good 2 miler, generally only finding Douvan too good and he seems to have retained a good turn of foot. At 7 his stamina will likely improve a notch or 2 yet as well. Whatever happens from here a Fairyhouse, Cheltenham and Punchestown treble is a great achievement. Coneygree ran a cracker after so many setbacks. It was great to see him bowling along in front with his ears pricked and he was really enjoying himself. Jumped brilliantly until the 2nd last which was a tired jump and stopped any momentum he had. If he gets a prep run in early next season then he'll be a threat at Haydock, Kempton and Cheltenham. As for Djakadam he's the nearly man of the 3 miles. Good, big horse but when it comes to the really big ones he'll always bump into 1 or 2 that are just a bit better imo.

[ekhibee]

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Difficult race to judge as you have to balance Coneygrees fragility and lack of match fitness against the long hard season for the other 2.

I'd say that Sizing John is a serious 3 miler. He was a good 2 miler, generally only finding Douvan too good and he seems to have retained a good turn of foot. At 7 his stamina will likely improve a notch or 2 yet as well. Whatever happens from here a Fairyhouse, Cheltenham and Punchestown treble is a great achievement. Coneygree ran a cracker after so many setbacks. It was great to see him bowling along in front with his ears pricked and he was really enjoying himself. Jumped brilliantly until the 2nd last which was a tired jump and stopped any momentum he had. If he gets a prep run in early next season then he'll be a threat at Haydock, Kempton and Cheltenham. As for Djakadam he's the nearly man of the 3 miles. Good, big horse but when it comes to the really big ones he'll always bump into 1 or 2 that are just a bit better imo.

Totally agree with every word of that PB. Will be fascinating to see if the likes of Altior and Yorkhill join the frey too. High quality NH scene at the moment.