Cheltenham Gold Cup: Sizing John capitalises on frontrunner mistakes to take the title
Sizing John has taken the Cheltenham Gold Cup, coming through the field to take one of jump racing's most prestigious events.
The 7-1 shot, who was tipped by CityAM to prevail, capitalised on errors by the frontrunners on the second to last fence.
Fast finishing Minella Rocco won a photo for second, beating Native River third and outpacing pre-race favourite Djakadam fourth.
Read more: Walsh and Mullins double act lands four Cheltenham winners
Former Grand National winning jockey Robbie Power rode Sizing John and was quick to praise the Irish horse's trainer. "Jessica Harrington is a genius. It was 10 years ago when I won the Grand National. I'm 35 now – I appreciate this a bit more," he told the BBC.
Harrington labelled the victory "amazing", and added: "It's his jumping that got him here. I never seemed to have any stayers in the past."
Read more: Cheltenham Festival tips: Sizing John value to upset Gold Cup favourites
"Unreal"
Meanwhile, owner Alan Potts said: "It's unreal. It's a dream come true. Our first runner in the race, the jockey's first ride in the race and trainer Jessica Harrington's first horse in the race. It feels fantastic."
Cue Card fell at the third last fence with Lizzie Kelly, the first women to ride in the Gold Cup for 33 years, falling early on at the second fence.
[custom id="108"]