Sizing John appears to be on the mend after his Leopardstown disappointment but will undergo further tests this weekend.
The seven-year-old was looking for his sixth straight victory in the Christmas Chase on Thursday but trailed in seventh and was clearly not himself.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup winner looked a shadow of the horse that claimed the blue riband event at Prestbury Park and was sent for blood tests after being found to be clinically abnormal when examined by veterinary staff at the track.
Trainer Jessica Harrington feels the son of Midnight Legend is showing signs of being fine but will wait for the results of more tests.
“All the bloods came back normal,” she said. “We’ll take more bloods at the weekend, but he’s sound and he ate up.”
Sizing John kicked off his season by taking the Grade 1 John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase and connections will hope everything is OK for another crack at Cheltenham glory.
