WE ARE nearly there with Sizing John. He worked very well after racing at Punchestown last Sunday and he has come out of that fine and the plan is to go for a conditions hurdle on New Year’s Eve over two and a half miles at Punchestown.

He is improving away and I am delighted with him. Those good chases this side of Christmas have all just come too soon for him. Starting him back in a graded chase, would have been a big ask for a horse that has been off the track for so long. Hopefully he’ll remain in good shape between now and Punchestown.

We run four at the weekend and my thoughts on them are below.

Fairyhouse Saturday

12.30 Instant Return (Paddy Kennedy)

He is in good form and he should handle the heavy ground. He has been running well behind some very good juveniles and he has plenty of experience which should be an asset to him. It would be lovely were he to get his head in front and of those that have run over hurdles, his form stacks up pretty well.

3.25 Jelona (Finny Maguire)

She ran very well when fifth behind a very good mare of Gordon’s in a listed bumper at Gowran. The winner (Bigbadandbeautiful) has won again since at Navan and she looks well above average. Our filly has improved from Gowran and looks capable of winning a bumper, but there are a number of newcomers in the line-up, and they fit into the ‘could be anything’ category. Based on what she has achieved on the track, she has to have a big chance, but I would be concerned if the ground turned very heavy for her.

Navan (Sunday)

11.30 Sizing Potsie (Robert Power)

I am really looking forward to running him and he ran great the last day when third at Punchestown and he has come on for that. He is a horse that we have always liked and he is in super form. He won’t mind the ground and while he will get a bit further than two miles, it is bound to be very testing on Sunday and his stamina will come into play. On paper this looks a good maiden hurdle, but I think our horse is capable of getting into the shake up.

1.00 Mr Hendricks (Paddy Kennedy)

He was a bit disappointing the last day at Punchestown, but he’ll be a better horse going left handed and I think we’ll see an improved performance from him here.  He is in good form and he is better than his last run would suggest. He has won a point to point and in time, he will make into a nice staying chaser.