THURLES on Thursday week witnessed a decidedly good contest for the Kinloch Brae Chase, with Sizing John getting up late on to deny Sub Lieutenant in a time fully 8.0s quicker than recorded by the useful mare Westerner Lady in the following contest.

Sizing John ran the same classy timefigure of 163 as he had when brushed aside by Douvan at Leopardstown at Christmas, but this victory clearly gives connections more options regarding trip, as he was not stopping at the end of the two and a half miles. The runner-up confirmed his previous figure of 160.