John has the measure of his rivals

Sizing John confirmed the promise of a couple of bumper runs in good company last term by scoring on his jumping debut in the two-mile maiden hurdle at Naas.

The Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding asserted approaching the last, and the 5/2 favourite kept on well on the run-in for Jonathan Burke to beat Phil’s Magic by two lengths. Irish Bulletin was a further four lengths back in third.

The start of this race was delayed by seven minutes as Walk To Freedom (eventually withdrawn) ran loose after Mark Bolger tried to mount him on the exit from the parade ring onto the racecourse.

Barry Geraghty was fortunate to avoid injury after being unseated from Modem at the first and dragged along the ground for a few strides.

De Bromhead said, “I'm delighted with him. We've always liked him. I think Dermot Weld's horse made all the four-year-olds in Punchestown look ordinary but we really liked him going up there.

“He's a real chaser in the making and Jonny gave him a super ride.

“There is a nice four-year-old only race in Gowran at the end of the month and all being well he'll go for that.”

(GC & AM)