Talented Jagwar Primed For December Gold Run
Jagwar gets a slightly belated possibility to show 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 four of his 5 starts over fences, with his last two coming over this course and distance, and it is to his ability that he managed to land the Festival Plate in March despite a number of unconvincing leaps.
With downpour and weakening 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 in this weekend's Prestbury Park function, and connections are confident he is in shape 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 completely prepared.
"We gave him a quiet spell after that and we've developed him back up and he's worked well on the grass. He's all set and I think the ground will be ideal for him, it will not be bottomless like it was in November and I believe being back on the New course will assist as well, it will give a big horse a bit more time.
"He's not far off graded business, he just needs to enhance another 5lb or 6lb. I think it will all come down to his jumping. He's got the engine, however 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 seems to have improved 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 tell us where we are."
Vincenzo (best) chasing 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 3rd home Hoe Joly Smoke need to be thought about significant gamers this weekend.
Vincenzo was 2 and a quarter lengths in front of Hoe Joly Smoke four weeks earlier, but the fact the latter is 5lb better off for the rematch is tempering the confidence of his fitness instructor Sam Thomas.
"On figures we're meeting Hoe Joly Smoke on various terms, specifically now Dylan (Johnston, jockey) has lost his claim," stated the Lisvane-based trainer.
"On the bare realities we remain in a little difficulty there and Jagwar could be a league above all of us actually.
"I'm enthusiastic for a huge run, but I'm really realistic and I've just got to hope our lad has stepped forward from the run actually.
"He feels terrific in the house, so we'll just keep whatever crossed for a big run."
The Skelicopter celebration is BACK! ✈ ANXIETY ATTACK & Harry Skelton storm to @paddypower Gold Cup (In Memory Of Edward O'Grady) success pic.twitter.com/xkaWmUBE8L
- CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) November 15, 2025
Dan Skelton, fitness instructor of Panic Attack and Hoe Joly Smoke, appears a little more positive about his possibilities of another big-race Saturday success
He said: "We were extremely delighted with his run in the Paddy Power and his owners stated to me 'I just hope that wasn't his day and he's ended up third'. I took that talk about board, however I need to say the method he has actually been this week and schooled on Thursday morning, I don't think that was simply his day.
"I daren't state he's improving as that feels a bit too vibrant, but I feel you are going to see a minimum of the same horse, if not a little bit more.
"I think the track will suit him much better too, it will offer him a bit longer between his fences and more fences when kipping down. The dry forecast 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 first time, along with last month's Grand Sefton winner Colonel Harry.
He said: "Ga Law is captured in between not being excellent enough for those graded races and carrying swellings of weight in every handicap, so it's betwixt and between, however hopefully Issy's 7lb will concern excellent usage all being well.
"Colonel Harry has actually come out of the Grand Sefton truly well and this has basically been our target all season. We had him gone into in the Becher Chase on the back of that, which was appealing, but the extra week is just going to do him good and hopefully he goes there buzzing."