SIZING John and jockey Robbie Power claimed victory in a thrilling renewal of the Grade 1 Stan James Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown.

Placed behind the mighty Douvan on no less than seven previous occasions, the seven-year-old, formerly trained by Henry de Bromhead, claimed his first win since joining Jessica Harrington in last month's Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles.

Sent off at 100/30 for what was his first appearance over three miles, Sizing John travelled powerfully in a race not for the faint-hearted as a duel up front between Don Poli and Road To Riches ensured a searching gallop from the off. As Road To Riches faded, Don Poli led the field into the straight, but Harrington's charge was travelling ominously well in behind and hit the front with a huge leap at the final fence.

His stamina was given a thorough examination as Don Poli and stable companion Empire Of Dirt attempted to bridge the gap, but Sizing John galloped all the way to the line to prevail by three-quarters of a length.

Empire Of Dirt narrowly beat 9/4 favourite Don Poli to the runner-up spot, with Carlingford Lough, winner of the last two renewals of the showpiece event, only fourth on this occasion.

Ladbrokes cut the winner to 14/1 from 25/1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Paddy Power 10/1 from 12/1 and RaceBets 10/1 from 25/1 and also 5/1 from 8s for the Ryanair Chase.

Harrington said: "He was brilliant. It's fantastic to have a horse like that for Alan and Ann (Potts, owners), who has finished so close to Douvan on many occasions. That was his first time over three miles and he jumped, travelled and did everything we had hoped he would.

"He jumped really well and he was just brilliant. Once he went past two and a half miles we knew he was into unknown territory, but we fully expected he would stay three miles and he did.

"Whether he will stay three miles two and a half furlongs at Cheltenham (in the Gold Cup) is another question and I'll have to speak to Alan and Ann about it, but on good ground there's a chance he will."

Power, who had rushed back from injury to ride the winner, having ruptured a disc in his back at Gowran Park on January 26, added: "We were in a good position as we hadn't gone quick and I always think that when you don't go quick, the first one to commit is in the best position.

"I think he will have learnt a lot from this race today. He'll have learnt to relax a bit better and I've thought, from the first day I rode him here at Christmas, that he stays well. He galloped the whole way to the line."

READ THE FULL LEOPARDSTOWN REPORT IN NEXT WEEK'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD