Talented Jagwar primed for December Gold run

Jagwar gets a slightly belated chance 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 distance, and it is testament to his ability that he managed to land the Festival Plate in March despite a number of unconvincing leaps.

With torrential rain and deteriorating ground conditions ruling him out of a planned return in last month’s Paddy Power Gold Cup, Jagwar instead makes his comeback a month later in this weekend’s Prestbury Park feature, and connections are confident he is fit enough to do himself justice.

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 couldn’t leave him short, he was fully ready.

“We gave him a quiet spell after that and we’ve built him back up and he’s worked nicely on the grass. He’s all set and I think the ground will be perfect for him, it won’t be bottomless like it was in November and I think being back on the New course will help as well, it will give a big horse a bit more time.

“He’s not far off graded company, he only needs 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 jump at that speed in that class. It’s a different level and I think he can do it, and he seems to have improved at home.

“We’ll see on Saturday where he is at and you just can’t make mistakes. He got away with it when rated a bit lower, but he’s higher now and the next couple of runs will tell us where we are.”

The Paddy Power Gold Cup form 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 considered major players this weekend.

Vincenzo was two and a quarter lengths in front of Hoe Joly Smoke four weeks ago, but 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 Joly Smoke on different terms, especially now Dylan (Johnston, jockey) has lost his claim,” said the Lisvane-based trainer.

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

“I’m hopeful for a big run, but I’m very realistic and I’ve just got to hope our lad has come forward from the run really.

“He feels great at home, so we’ll just keep everything crossed for a big run.”

Dan Skelton, trainer of Panic Attack and Hoe Joly Smoke, appears a little more confident about his chances of another big-race Saturday success

He said: “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 finished third’. I took that comment on board, but I have to say the way he has 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 bold, but I feel you are going to see at least the same horse, if not a little more.

“I think the track will suit him better as well, it will give him a bit longer between his fences and more fences when turning in. The dry forecast won’t hinder him, either.”

Jamie Snowden saddles the 2022 Paddy Power hero Ga Law, who is ridden by 7lb claimer Isabelle Ryder for the first time, as well as 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 lumps of weight in every handicap, so it’s betwixt and between, but hopefully Issy’s 7lb will come to good use all being well.

“Colonel Harry has come out of the Grand Sefton really well and this has basically been our target all season. We had him entered in the Becher Chase on the back of that, which was tempting, but the extra week is only going to do him good and hopefully he goes there buzzing.”