COLIN Tizzard’s hopes of landing the Cheltenham Gold Cup ended in disappointment as his stable stars failed to land the blue riband prize.

Native River took third place while Cue Card, who blew a possible £1million bonus when falling at the third-last in 2016, came down at the same fence again,

Sizing John gave Irish trainer Jessica Harrington her first victory in the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup with her first runner when coming home a clear-cut winner.

Given a patient ride by Robbie Power, the seven-year-old completed the English-Irish Gold Cup double in style to dispel any stamina doubts.

Djakadam travelled well for most of the race and looked as though he might end Willie Mullins’ hoodoo in the showpiece event, but Sizing John (7-1) pounced to lead between the final two fences.

So often in the shadow of Douvan over two miles, Sizing John kept on strongly up the hill to score by two and three-quarter lengths from the staying-on Minella Rocco (18-1).

Native River (7-2), who went to toe to toe with Champagne West for the early pace, showed plenty of guts to be beaten just a short-head in third while Djakadam – twice the runner-up – was fourth after making a costly jumping error at the second-last fence.