Ground Conditions Put Paid to Jagwar ´ S Cheltenham Bid

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


The prominent early-season contest had actually been a long-held prepare for the training group Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero considering that landing the Plate with ease at the Cheltenham Festival, and although confident ahead of the race the group will need to hold back running their JP McManus-owned gelding.


He was because of bring top-weight around Cheltenham and with the ground rapidly deteriorating on Friday due to relentless rain, connections have chosen to keep their powder dry with the six-year-old.


It was a dismal 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 gone, it was going to be extremely hard for him so we have actually decided with Oliver and Josh that we'll wait for another day," said Frank Berry, racing supervisor to McManus.


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


"We'll be looking at all the alternative races for him now as he is extremely well and was ready to go."


Alan King, a fitness instructor who ten years ago struck with Annacotty, runs Es Perfecto in the same colours - a gelding who completed just nine lengths behind Caldwell Potter when 5th at the Cheltenham Festival.


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


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


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


"He's all set to begin back and we'll see how we go."


Paul Nicholls may lack the previously mentioned Caldwell Potter, however can get in touch with protecting 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 great kind and Vincenzo is charged with while the iron is hot after some constant performances last term.


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


"He put in some fantastic races last season and I 'd rather discover where we remain in a leading race than an ordinary race," stated Thomas.


"And if he wins or runs well, we have those two-and-a-half-mile (races) at Cheltenham every meeting 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 won his last three over the larger obstacles and shows up on the back of a well-defined Listed success at Killarney for Darragh O'Keeffe, while Theatre Native will have the help of champ jockey Sean Bowen.


Showing up Easy and Jordan Gainford 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 stated: "They are two nice horses, and both remain in excellent form.


"Showing up Easy has won his last 3 and did it perfectly at Killarney the last day.


"Theatre Native won well around there last year and she 'd a nice very first run back in Limerick, so ideally she will advance from that.


"We were pleased to get Sean to ride Theatre Native and we have 2 jockeys in type which is terrific."


Bad arrives in top kind (Nigel French/PA)


The remainder of the field is made up 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 learn if he's simply a Kempton professional or not. I believe he's a various horse to the one I trained a number of years ago," stated Pauling.


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


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