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 actually won 4 of his 5 starts over fences, with his last two coming over this course and distance, and it is testament to his capability that he managed to land the Festival Plate in March in spite of a number of unconvincing leaps.


With downpour and weakening ground conditions ruling him out of a prepared return in last month's Paddy Power Gold Cup, Jagwar rather makes his resurgence a month later in this weekend's Prestbury Park feature, 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 partnership with Josh Guerriero, said: "He was primed to run in the Paddy Power and he was going to be the favourite so we could not leave him short, he was totally prepared.


"We offered him a quiet spell after that and we have actually constructed him back up and he's worked nicely on the yard. He's all set and I believe the ground will be ideal for him, it won't be endless like it was in November and I believe being back on the New course will assist as well, it will give a huge horse a bit more time.


"He's not far off graded company, he only requires to improve another 5lb or 6lb. I think it will all come down to his jumping. He's got the engine, but he's got to be able to leap at that speed in that class. It's a different level and I believe he can do it, and he appears to have actually enhanced in your home.


"We'll see on Saturday where he is at and you just can't make errors. He got away with it when ranked a bit lower, however he's higher now and the next number of runs will inform us where we are."


Vincenzo (right) chasing after home Anxiety attack in the Paddy Power Gold Cup (David Davies/PA)


The Paddy Power Gold Cup kind looks strong, with the winner Anxiety attack consequently following up in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, so both the runner-up Vincenzo and the 3rd home Hoe Joly Smoke have actually to be thought about major players this weekend.


Vincenzo was 2 and a quarter lengths in front of Hoe Joly Smoke 4 weeks back, however the fact the latter is 5lb better off for the rematch is tempering the confidence of his trainer Sam Thomas.


"On figures we're meeting Hoe on different terms, particularly now Dylan (Johnston, jockey) has lost his claim," stated the Lisvane-based trainer.


"On the bare realities we remain in a little bit of difficulty there and Jagwar could be a league above all of us really.


"I'm enthusiastic for a big run, however I'm really reasonable and I have actually just got to hope our lad has stepped forward from the run really.


"He feels great in your home, so we'll just keep everything crossed for a big run."


The Skelicopter event 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, trainer of Anxiety attack and Hoe Joly Smoke, appears a little bit more confident about his possibilities of another big-race Saturday success


He stated: "We were really 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 talk about board, but I need to state the method he has actually been this week and schooled on Thursday early morning, I don't believe that was just his day.


"I daren't say he's enhancing as that feels a bit too bold, but I feel you are visiting a minimum of the very same horse, if not a little more.


"I believe the track will match him much better as well, it will provide him a bit longer in between his fences and more fences when kipping down. The dry projection won't prevent 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, in addition to last month's Grand Sefton winner Colonel Harry.


He said: "Ga Law is captured in between not being good enough for those graded races and bring lumps of weight in every handicap, so it's betwixt and in between, but hopefully Issy's 7lb will come to excellent usage all being well.


"Colonel Harry has actually come out of the Grand Sefton really 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 excellent and hopefully he goes there buzzing."