Talented Jagwar Primed For December Gold Run
Jagwar gets a somewhat belated opportunity to reveal he can make his mark his mark this season when he comes back in the Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The JP McManus-owned six-year-old has won four of his five starts over fences, with his last 2 coming by this course and distance, and it is testimony to his ability that he handled to land the Festival Plate in March regardless of a variety of unconvincing leaps.
With torrential rain and degrading ground conditions ruling him out of a planned return in last month's Paddy Power Gold Cup, Jagwar instead makes his a month later on in this weekend's Prestbury Park feature, and connections are confident he is fit enough to do himself justice.
Jagwar in action at Cheltenham (Mike Egerton/PA)
Oliver Greenall, who trains the gelding in collaboration with Josh Guerriero, stated: "He was primed to run in the Paddy Power and he was going to be the preferred so we could not leave him short, he was fully all set.
"We gave him a quiet spell after that and we've developed him back up and he's worked well on the lawn. He's all set and I think the ground will be best for him, it won't be endless like it remained in November and I believe being back on the New course will help as well, it will give a huge horse a bit more time.
"He's not far off graded company, he just requires to improve another 5lb or 6lb. I think it will all boil down to his jumping. He's got the engine, however he's got to have the ability to leap at that speed in that class. It's a different level and I think he can do it, and he seems to have actually enhanced in the house.
"We'll see on Saturday where he is at and you simply can't make mistakes. He got away with it when rated a bit lower, however he's greater now and the next number of runs will inform us where we are."
Vincenzo (ideal) chasing after home Anxiety attack in the Paddy Power Gold Cup (David Davies/PA)
The Paddy Power Gold Cup type looks strong, with the winner Panic Attack subsequently 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 major players this weekend.
Vincenzo was 2 and a quarter lengths in front of Hoe Joly Smoke four weeks earlier, however the fact the latter is 5lb much better off for the rematch is tempering the confidence of his trainer Sam Thomas.
"On figures we're satisfying Hoe Joly Smoke on various terms, specifically now Dylan (Johnston, jockey) has actually lost his claim," stated the Lisvane-based fitness instructor.
"On the bare facts we remain in a little difficulty there and Jagwar might be a league above all people actually.
"I'm confident for a big run, but I'm really practical and I have actually simply got to hope our lad has actually stepped forward from the run truly.
"He feels excellent in the house, so we'll simply keep whatever crossed for a big run."
The Skelicopter event 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 bit more positive about his chances of another big-race Saturday success
He stated: "We were really happy with his run in the Paddy Power and his owners stated to me 'I simply hope that wasn't his day and he's finished third'. I took that discuss board, but I have to state the method he has actually been this week and schooled on Thursday morning, I don't think that was just his day.
"I daren't say he's improving as that feels a bit too strong, but I feel you are going to see at least the exact same horse, if not a little more.
"I believe the track will match him much better also, it will offer him a bit longer in between his fences and more fences when turning in. 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, in addition to last month's Grand Sefton winner Colonel Harry.
He said: "Ga Law is caught between not being good enough for those graded races and carrying swellings of weight in every handicap, so it's betwixt and between, however ideally Issy's 7lb will come to excellent usage all being well.
"Colonel Harry has come out of the Grand Sefton actually well and this has actually essentially been our target all season. We had him gone into in the Becher Chase on the back of that, which was tempting, however the additional week is just going to do him great and ideally he goes there buzzing."