Talented Jagwar Primed For December Gold Run

Jagwar gets a somewhat 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 actually won four of his five starts over fences, with his last two coming by this course and range, and it is testimony to his capability that he managed to land the Festival Plate in March in spite of a number of unconvincing leaps.


With torrential rain and weakening ground conditions ruling him out of a prepared return in last month's Paddy Power Gold Cup, Jagwar instead 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 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 fully all set.


"We offered him a peaceful spell after that and we have actually built him back up and he's worked well on the grass. He's all set and I believe the ground will be perfect for him, it will not be bottomless like it was in November and I believe being back on the New course will assist too, it will provide a big horse a bit more time.


"He's not far off graded company, he only needs to enhance another 5lb or 6lb. I believe it will all boil down to his jumping. He's got the engine, however he's got to have the ability to leap at that speed in that class. It's a various level and I think he can do it, and he appears 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 rated a bit lower, but he's higher now and the next number of runs will tell us where we are."


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


The Paddy Power Gold Cup type 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 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 4 weeks earlier, however the reality the latter is 5lb better off for the rematch is tempering the self-confidence of his trainer Sam Thomas.


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


"On the we're in a little problem there and Jagwar might be a league above all of us truly.


"I'm confident for a huge run, but I'm really sensible and I have actually just got to hope our lad has actually come forward from the run really.


"He feels great in the house, so we'll simply keep everything crossed for a huge 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, fitness instructor of Anxiety attack and Hoe Joly Smoke, appears a bit more confident about his opportunities of another big-race Saturday success


He stated: "We were very pleased with his run in the Paddy Power and his owners stated to me 'I simply hope that wasn't his day and he's ended up third'. I took that remark on board, but I have to say the way he has been today and schooled on Thursday early morning, I don't think that was just his day.


"I daren't state he's enhancing as that feels a bit too vibrant, however I feel you are going to see at least the very same horse, if not a little more.


"I think the track will fit him better also, it will provide him a bit longer in between his fences and more fences when turning in. The dry forecast will not 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 stated: "Ga Law is caught between not being excellent enough for those graded races and carrying lumps of weight in every handicap, so it's betwixt and in between, but hopefully Issy's 7lb will pertain to great usage all being well.


"Colonel Harry has actually come out of the Grand Sefton actually 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 tempting, but the extra week is just going to do him excellent and ideally he goes there buzzing."