Talented Jagwar Primed For December Gold Run

Jagwar gets a slightly belated possibility 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 4 of his five starts over fences, with his last 2 coming over this course and distance, and it is testament to his ability that he handled to land the Festival Plate in March despite a number of unconvincing leaps.


With downpour and degrading ground conditions ruling him out of a planned return in last month's Paddy Power Gold Cup, Jagwar instead makes his return a month later in this weekend's Prestbury Park feature, and connections are positive he is healthy enough to do himself .


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 preferred so we could not leave him short, he was completely prepared.


"We gave him a quiet spell after that and we have actually built him back up and he's worked well on the yard. He's all set and I believe the ground will be best for him, it won't be bottomless like it was in November and I believe being back on the New course will help also, it will provide a big horse a bit more time.


"He's not far off graded business, he only 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 because class. It's a different level and I believe 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 ranked a bit lower, however he's greater now and the next number of runs will inform us where we are."


Vincenzo (best) going after home Panic Attack in the Paddy Power Gold Cup (David Davies/PA)


The Paddy Power Gold Cup kind looks strong, with the winner Anxiety 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 significant players this weekend.


Vincenzo was two and a quarter lengths in front of Hoe Joly Smoke four weeks ago, but the reality 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, particularly now Dylan (Johnston, jockey) has lost his claim," stated the Lisvane-based fitness instructor.


"On the bare facts we're in a little bit of trouble there and Jagwar could be a league above all of us really.


"I'm enthusiastic for a huge run, however I'm very practical and I've simply got to hope our lad has actually stepped forward from the run actually.


"He feels excellent in your home, so we'll simply keep whatever crossed for a huge run."


The Skelicopter event is BACK! ✈ PANIC ATTACK & Harry Skelton storm to @paddypower Gold Cup (In Memory Of Edward O'Grady) victory pic.twitter.com/xkaWmUBE8L


- CheltenhamRacecourse (@CheltenhamRaces) November 15, 2025


Dan Skelton, trainer of Panic Attack and Hoe Joly Smoke, appears a bit 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 finished third'. I took that discuss board, but I have to say the method he has actually been today and schooled on Thursday early morning, I don't believe that was simply his day.


"I daren't state he's improving as that feels a bit too strong, however I feel you are visiting a minimum of the exact same horse, if not a little more.


"I believe the track will fit him much better as well, it will provide him a bit longer 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 stated: "Ga Law is captured in between not being great enough for those graded races and bring swellings of weight in every handicap, so it's betwixt and in between, but hopefully Issy's 7lb will pertain to great use all being well.


"Colonel Harry has come out of the Grand Sefton actually well and this has 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 extra week is just going to do him excellent and hopefully he goes there buzzing."