Can Sizing John or Thistlecrack win the Stayers’ Triple Crown?

Pair in contention along with Might Bite

Only one horse has ever had the quality, stamina and the timing to win the Stayers’ Chase Triple Crown.

Legendary five-time King George VI winner Kauto Star remains the only horse to have accomplished the feat, back during the 2006-2007 season.

Consisting of the Haydock Chase in November, the King George VI on Boxing Day and the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March, it is one of jump racing’s toughest feats.

The Coral News Team look at the main contenders for the hat-trick ahead of the 2017-18 jump season…

Sizing John

Sizing John emerged from the shadows last season to prove himself as one of the best stayers in the business. After finishing as bridesmaid to Douvan on no fewer than five occasions between 2014 to 2016, the British-bred raider stepped up to win the Irish Gold Cup in February.

From there, there was to be no looking back. Up against favourites Cue Card, Djakadam and Native River, the Jessica Harrington-trained runner stayed on superbly to claim the Cheltenham Gold Cup by over 2l from Minella Rocco. He completed a Gold Cup hat-trick little over a month later by nailing the Punchestown Gold Cup.

It was his third straight Grade 1 success and cemented his place as a superstar stayer. But can he do it again this time around? Sizing John’s success came as a result of the partnership between trainer Jessica Harrington and jockey Robbie Power. However, with owner Alan Potts opting to go with Bryan Cooper as his first-choice jump rider in Britain, that partnership could be under threat.

Nevertheless, odds of 20/1 make this classy stayer the favourite to complete the Triple Crown.