Talented Jagwar Primed For December Gold Run

Jagwar gets a slightly belated opportunity 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 five starts over fences, with his last two coming over this course and range, and it is testament to his ability 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 planned return in last month's Paddy Power Gold Cup, Jagwar rather makes his return a month later on in this Park function, and connections are positive he is fit 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 preferred so we could not leave him short, he was fully ready.


"We gave him a quiet spell after that and we have actually constructed him back up and he's worked nicely on the turf. He's all set and I think the ground will be ideal for him, it won't be endless like it remained in November and I think being back on the New course will assist also, it will give a big horse a bit more time.


"He's not far off graded business, he only needs to enhance another 5lb or 6lb. I think it will all boil down to his jumping. He's got the engine, but he's got to have the ability to jump at that speed because class. It's a different level and I believe he can do it, and he seems to have 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, but he's higher now and the next couple of runs will inform us where we are."


Vincenzo (ideal) 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 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 have to be thought about major players this weekend.


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


"On figures we're fulfilling Hoe Joly Smoke on various terms, particularly now Dylan (Johnston, jockey) has actually lost his claim," said the Lisvane-based fitness instructor.


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


"I'm confident for a big run, but I'm really sensible and I've simply got to hope our lad has stepped forward from the run really.


"He feels terrific in the house, so we'll simply keep whatever 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) 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 possibilities of another big-race Saturday success


He stated: "We were very happy with his run in the Paddy Power and his owners said to me 'I just hope that wasn't his day and he's completed third'. I took that comment on board, but I have to state the way he has been this week and schooled on Thursday morning, I do not think that was just his day.


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


"I think the track will match him better also, it will provide him a bit longer between his fences and more fences when turning in. The dry forecast won't 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 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 hopefully Issy's 7lb will come to great use all being well.


"Colonel Harry has come out of the Grand Sefton truly well and this has actually basically been our target all season. We had him gone into in the Becher Chase on the back of that, which was appealing, however the additional week is just going to do him great and ideally he goes there buzzing."