THE Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown on Sunday had just seven runners, and five finishers, but can be considered one of the stronger recent editions. Carlingford Lough, the winner in 2015 and 2016, could manage only fourth this time round.

That is not to say the time was particularly good, however, as the pace was by no means strong: the winner, Sizing John, is credited with a 149 timefigure compared to his Douvan-chasing peak of 163. His time up the run-in (estimated at 265 yards in length) of 18.0s is one of the fastest in a chase at the course this winter.