Cheltenham Festival 2019: Jessica Harrington says Gold Cup hero Sizing John needs rain before next outing

The decorated trainer will only run the former Gold Cup winner before Cheltenham if there's water in the turf.

Not seen since the 2017 Christmas Chase at Leopardstown, the son of Midnight Legend has been unable to return to the track due to a catalogue of injuries and unsuitable ground conditions.

Only two seasons ago he carried all before him as a winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Punchestown Gold Cup, the Irish Gold Cup and the John Durkan.

Now, though, there are plenty of question marks given he's been absent for so long.

Trainer Jessica Harrington is adamant that her star chaser has rediscovered his former fizz, but is doubtful he'll run before the Cheltenham Festival.

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She said: "We decided against going to Leopardstown in the end. The forecasters are saying there might be some rain coming, but I'm not sure I believe them – it's as dry as a bone here at the moment.

"I thought if I left him in either race at the forfeit stage on Tuesday I'd only have been tempted to run him. I said we'd decide on Tuesday and that was decision made.

"I really don't know where we'll go now. It will all come down to the weather and the ground.

"It's not that I want soft ground, I just want to see the word 'soft' in the going description."

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