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 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 over this course and range, and it is testament to his capability that he handled to land the Festival Plate in March regardless of a variety 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 rather makes his resurgence 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 collaboration with Josh Guerriero, stated: "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 all set.


"We gave him a quiet spell after that and we've built him back up and he's worked perfectly on the lawn. He's all set and I believe the ground will be perfect for him, it won't be bottomless like it was in November and I believe being back on the New course will assist also, it will provide a huge 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 be able to leap at that speed in that class. It's a various level and I think he can do it, and he seems to have actually enhanced at home.


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


Vincenzo (best) chasing 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 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 major players this weekend.


Vincenzo was two and a quarter lengths in front of Hoe Joly Smoke four weeks ago, however the fact the latter is 5lb much better off for the rematch is tempering the confidence of his fitness instructor Sam Thomas.


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


"On the bare facts we're in a little bit of problem there and Jagwar could be a league above all people truly.


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


"He feels terrific in the house, so we'll just keep everything crossed for a big run."


The Skelicopter event is BACK! ✈ PANIC 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 bit more positive about his possibilities of another big-race Saturday success


He said: "We were really happy with his run in the Paddy Power and his owners stated to me 'I just hope that wasn't his day and he's ended up third'. I took that comment on board, however I need to say the method he has actually been today and schooled on Thursday morning, I don't think that was just his day.


"I daren't say 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 bit more.


"I think the track will fit him much better as well, it will offer him a bit longer between his fences and more fences when turning in. 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 very first time, along with last month's Grand Sefton winner Colonel Harry.


He stated: "Ga Law is caught between not being great enough for those and carrying swellings of weight in every handicap, so it's betwixt and in between, but ideally Issy's 7lb will pertain to excellent usage all being well.


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