THE Jessica Harrington-trained Sizing John (9/10 fav) came out best in a fabulous renewal of the Grade 1 €250,000 Coral Punchestown Gold Cup to become the first horse to win the Punchestown showpiece, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Jessica Harrington's Cheltenham Gold Cup hero was the 9/10 favourite to follow up on home turf and did so in the most dramatic style in the hands of Robbie Power.

The 2015 Cheltenham hero Coneygree boldly tried to make the running but Djakadam and Sizing John cruised up ominously on the run to the last. Coneygree rallied valiantly to set up a grandstand finish, with Sizing John eventually holding off Djakadam to win by a short-head.

"I didn't think he was going as well as at Cheltenham. He jumped the second last a bit slow but showed real guts to get up. Robbie (Power) is riding out of his skin at the moment," said Harrington. "He's the first horse I've run in the three Gold Cups, let alone winning them.

"His guts and class won him the race. I kept saying to my daughter Emma during the race that he wouldn't win because Coneygree had gone too far ahead.

"He pulled off a front shoe as well which probably didn't help. A lot of things went against him today. He is going on his holidays now."

Power added: "There was no hiding place out there, as you would expect with Coneygree in the field. And full credit to his connections because he has run some race after a long lay-off.

"I was never that happy. Sizing John was off the bridle and felt a bit flat to tell you the truth. He was a bit slow at the second last but got his head down afterwards. He had a hard race in Cheltenham and, full credit to the horse, he is only a seven-year-old and dug deep when he had to.

"I was all out and he is just a very good horse. He has earned a good break over the summer and we can work a plan out for next season."

Djakadam's trainer Willie Mullins said: "He just gave the last fence a nudge but it was a tremendous race. Jessie is in such good form that she can't be beaten at the moment. It looked like we might be getting up on the line but I have no complaints."

Coneygree finished third and his trainer Mark Bradstock said: "Coneygree is a dude. Let's just hope he is sound tomorrow. That is the main thing. He is a pretty special horse. He just pecked on landing at the second last and, having had a long time off, you don't need that. He has got a very deceptive gallop as all the jockeys behind will tell you. It was an awesome run."