Ground Conditions Put Paid to Jagwar ´ S Cheltenham Bid

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


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


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


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


"It is since of the method the ground has actually gone, it was going to be really tough for him so we've 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, however it the very best thing for the horse. It's no huge offer and he was all set to run, it's simply the ground has chosen 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 ten years ago struck with Annacotty, runs Es Perfecto in the very same colours - a gelding who ended up 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 gone well. I more than happy enough with him," said King.


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


"He ran effectively at the Festival - he just got lacked the locations in the last 50 yards.


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


Paul Nicholls may be without the previously mentioned Caldwell Potter, however can get in touch with safeguarding champ Il Ridoto in search of a 5th win in the race, while Dan Skelton will saddle Panic Attack, Hoe Joly Smoke and Newton Abbot winner Riskintheground.


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


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


"He put in some great races last season and I 'd rather learn where we remain in a top 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 apparent 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 Turning up Easy and Theatre Native.


The previous of De Bromhead's duo has actually won his last 3 over the bigger barriers and arrives on the back of a clear-cut Listed success at Killarney for Darragh O'Keeffe, while Theatre Native will have the assistance of champ jockey Sean Bowen.


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


- KillarneyRaces (@KillarneyRaces) August 23, 2025


De Bromhead said: "They are two nice horses, and both remain in excellent form.


"Coming Up Easy has actually won his last 3 and did it nicely at Killarney the last day.


"Theatre Native won well around there in 2015 and she had actually a great first run back in Limerick, so hopefully she will step forward from that.


"We were pleased to get Sean to ride Theatre Native and we have two jockeys in form which is great."


Bad shows up 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 learn 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 earlier," stated Pauling.


"He ran effectively in the Boodles (Fred Winter). I know he was almost favourite and ended up being beaten 10 lengths however he struck the front plenty soon enough that day.


"We will learn however if he's versatile enough to manage any track, he's going there in really good order and he must be competitive."