Cheltenham Gold Cup champion Sizing John ruled out of title defence

"It is with a heavy heart I have to report that Sizing John will miss the Cheltenham Gold Cup."

Sizing John will not defend his crown in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup next week, trainer Jessica Harrington has announced.

The eight-year-old carried all before him last season, but this campaign has not gone to plan after an impressive return in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown in December.