Sizing up a Burke double at Sligo

Jonathan Burke rode a short-priced double at Sligo, brought up by Sizing Coal in the Kilcawley Construction Chase.

Sizing Coal's main rival in the betting, Another Rebel again looked a little 'iffy' at the start, but when he did jump off Martin Ferris' mount put it up to his rivals from the front.

However, the Ann and Alan Potts-owned and Jim Dreaper-trained Sizing Coal (a 9/10 chance) had much too much in the locker from the last, and he galloped on well for a six and a half length win.

There was a nine and a half length gap back to Mic Milano in third.

Dreaper stated afterwards: "The inclement weather has helped us and the horses are a bit further forward than in previous years. This horse was out for ten weeks and has been back in ten weeks, and it's one thing I remember my father saying that roughly speaking it takes that long to get one ready.

"He went to Uttoxeter and we couldn't find any reason why he ran so poorly. He didn't even go to the start.

"He could possibly go for the Cork National, and we'll be looking at races over three miles."

Dreaper has thirteen in training for the Potts' this season.

"He did that well and he was fully entitled to do it. The lack of a run was a worry but he overcame it well," reported Burke, earlier a winner on Vinnie Luck

"He relaxed a lot better today which he wasn't doing last year. I think that'll help him going forward.

"We have the Cork National in mind for him so I didn't want to give him too hard a race today. I wanted him to do it as easy as possible.

"He had a couple of great runs as a novice - third in the Irish National - but there were a couple of mishaps last year, pulling up twice.

"He ran very well though at the Punchestown festival behind Fletchers Flyer. He feels a better and stronger horse this year. Going forward he is very, very promising.

"He was probably a horse that struggled as he was placed a lot of times as a hurdler and that mightn't have done his confidence much good. He's now getting the hang of winning and hopefully he can keep going."

(AM & EM)