Talented Jagwar Primed For December Gold Run
Jagwar gets a slightly belated chance to reveal he can make his mark his mark this season when he reappears in the Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The JP McManus-owned six-year-old has won 4 of his five starts over fences, with his last two coming by this course and range, and it is testament to his ability that he handled to land the in March in spite of a variety of unconvincing leaps.
With downpour and deteriorating ground conditions ruling him out of a planned return in last month's Paddy Power Gold Cup, Jagwar rather makes his comeback a month later on in this weekend's Prestbury Park feature, and connections are confident he is healthy enough to do himself justice.
Jagwar in action at Cheltenham (Mike Egerton/PA)
Oliver Greenall, who trains the gelding in partnership with Josh Guerriero, stated: "He was primed to run in the Paddy Power and he was going to be the favourite so we couldn't leave him short, he was fully prepared.
"We offered him a peaceful spell after that and we've built him back up and he's worked perfectly on the turf. He's all set and I believe the ground will be best for him, it will not be bottomless like it remained in November and I think being back on the New course will help too, it will give a big horse a bit more time.
"He's not far off graded company, he just requires to improve another 5lb or 6lb. I believe it will all come down to his leaping. He's got the engine, but he's got to be able to jump at that speed in that class. It's a various level and I believe he can do it, and he appears to have actually enhanced in the house.
"We'll see on Saturday where he is at and you simply can't make errors. He got away with it when rated a bit lower, but he's higher now and the next couple of runs will tell us where we are."
Vincenzo (right) chasing after home Panic Attack in the Paddy Power Gold Cup (David Davies/PA)
The Paddy Power Gold Cup kind looks strong, with the winner Panic Attack consequently following up in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, so both the runner-up Vincenzo and the third home Hoe Joly Smoke need to be considered significant gamers this weekend.
Vincenzo was 2 and a quarter lengths in front of Hoe Joly Smoke 4 weeks earlier, but the truth the latter is 5lb better off for the rematch is tempering the confidence of his fitness instructor Sam Thomas.
"On figures we're fulfilling Hoe Joly Smoke on different terms, especially now Dylan (Johnston, jockey) has lost his claim," stated the Lisvane-based fitness instructor.
"On the bare realities we're in a little bit of problem there and Jagwar could be a league above all people truly.
"I'm confident for a big run, but I'm extremely reasonable and I have actually simply got to hope our lad has come forward from the run actually.
"He feels excellent in the house, so we'll just keep whatever crossed for a big run."
The Skelicopter celebration is BACK! ✈ PANIC ATTACK & Harry Skelton storm to @paddypower Gold Cup (In Memory Of Edward O'Grady) triumph pic.twitter.com/xkaWmUBE8L
- CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) November 15, 2025
Dan Skelton, fitness instructor of Anxiety attack and Hoe Joly Smoke, appears a little more positive about his chances of another big-race Saturday success
He stated: "We were extremely delighted with his run in the Paddy Power and his owners said to me 'I just hope that wasn't his day and he's ended up third'. I took that discuss board, but I need to say the way he has actually been today and schooled on Thursday morning, I don't think that was just his day.
"I daren't say he's enhancing as that feels a bit too bold, but I feel you are going to see a minimum of the exact same horse, if not a little more.
"I believe the track will fit him much better too, it will offer him a bit longer in between his fences and more fences when kipping down. The dry projection will not impede him, either."
Ga Law heads the weights for the December Gold Cup (Nigel French/PA)
Jamie Snowden saddles the 2022 Paddy Power hero Ga Law, who is ridden by 7lb claimer Isabelle Ryder for the very first time, along with last month's Grand Sefton winner Colonel Harry.
He said: "Ga Law is captured between not being great enough for those graded races and bring swellings of weight in every handicap, so it's betwixt and between, but ideally Issy's 7lb will come to good use all being well.
"Colonel Harry has actually come out of the Grand Sefton truly well and this has generally been our target all season. We had him gone into in the Becher Chase on the back of that, which was tempting, however the extra week is just going to do him great and hopefully he goes there buzzing."