Ground Conditions Put Paid to Jagwar ´ S Cheltenham Bid

Ante-post Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase preferred Jagwar has actually been eliminated of Saturday's Cheltenham showpiece, being stated a non-runner due to ground conditions.


The prestigious early-season contest had actually been a long-held strategy for the training team Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero considering that landing the Plate with ease at the Cheltenham Festival, and although positive ahead of the race the team will have to hold off running their JP McManus-owned gelding.


He was because of carry top-weight around Cheltenham and with the ground quickly weakening on Friday due to unrelenting rain, connections have chosen to keep their powder dry with the six-year-old.


It was a bleak scene at Cheltenham at the close of racing on Friday (David Davies for The Jockey Club)


"It is since of the way the ground has actually gone, it was going to be really difficult for him so we have actually chosen with Oliver and Josh that we'll await another day," said Frank Berry, racing supervisor to McManus.


"It's a pity to miss the race, however it the best thing for the horse. It's no big deal and he was prepared to run, it's just the ground has actually gone for him.


"We'll be taking a look at all the alternative races for him now as he is extremely well and was prepared to go."


Alan King, a trainer who 10 years ago struck with Annacotty, runs Es Perfecto in the very same colours - a gelding who finished only 9 lengths behind Caldwell Potter when fifth at the Cheltenham Festival.


"This has actually been his target for some time and his preparation has worked out. I more than happy enough with him," stated King.


Trainer Alan King is looking for another Paddy Power Gold Cup win (David Davies/PA)


"He ran extremely well at the Festival - he only got lacked the places in the last 50 lawns.


"He's ready to draw back and we'll see how we go."


Paul Nicholls may lack the previously mentioned Caldwell Potter, however can call on safeguarding champion Il Ridoto searching for a 5th win in the race, while Dan Skelton will saddle Anxiety attack, Hoe Joly Smoke and Newton Abbot winner Riskintheground.


Meanwhile, Sam Thomas has his string in fine type and Vincenzo is charged with striking while the iron is hot after some constant efficiencies last term.


Vincenzo represents the in-form Sam Thomas (Andrew Matthews/PA)


"He put in some excellent races last season and I 'd rather discover where we remain in a top race than a common race," said Thomas.


"And if he wins or runs well, we have those two-and-a-half-mile (races) at Cheltenham every conference near enough, so that would the obvious thing to do with him."


There is a strong Irish hand with Gavin Cromwell bringing over both Thecompanysergeant and The Other Mozzie, Paul Nolan runs Conyers Hill and Henry de Bromhead is double-handed with Showing up Easy and Theatre Native.


The previous of De Bromhead's duo has actually won his last three over the bigger obstacles and shows up on the back of a clear-cut Listed success at Killarney for Darragh O'Keeffe, while Theatre Native will have the support of champ jockey Sean Bowen.


Showing up Easy and take Listed honours in the O'Donoghue Ring Collection Handicap Chase Henry de Bromhead can do no incorrect pic.twitter.com/g99UcNmj7K


- KillarneyRaces (@KillarneyRaces) August 23, 2025


De Bromhead said: "They are 2 nice horses, and both are in good form.


"Turning up Easy has won his last three and did it nicely at Killarney the last day.


"Theatre Native won well around there last year and she had actually a great first run back in Limerick, so ideally she will step forward from that.


"We were delighted to get Sean to ride Theatre Native and we have two jockeys in type which is terrific."


Bad arrives in leading kind (Nigel French/PA)


The rest of the field is comprised of Venetia Williams' Hunter Legend, Gary and Josh Moore's Issar d'Airy and Ben Pauling's Bad, who tuned up for this with a win at Kempton last month.


"We'll find out if he's simply a Kempton expert or not. I believe he's a different horse to the one I trained a couple of years back," stated Pauling.


"He ran extremely well in the Boodles (Fred Winter). I know he was almost favourite and wound up being beaten 10 lengths however he hit the front plenty quickly enough that day.


"We will find out however if he's flexible enough to deal with any track, he's going there in really excellent order and he ought to be competitive."