Ground Conditions Put Paid to Jagwar ´ S Cheltenham Bid

Ante-post Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase favourite Jagwar has actually been ruled out 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 prepare for the training group Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero given that landing the Plate with ease at the Cheltenham Festival, and although confident ahead of the race the team will need to hold back 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 relentless rain, connections have decided 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 because of the way the ground has actually gone, it was going to be really tough for him so we have actually chosen 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 big offer and he was prepared to run, it's just the ground has actually opted for him.


"We'll be looking at all the alternative races for him now as he is effectively 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 ended up just nine lengths behind Caldwell Potter when 5th at the Cheltenham Festival.


"This has actually been his target for some time and his preparation has worked out. I'm pleased enough with him," said King.


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


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


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


Paul Nicholls might be without the abovementioned Caldwell Potter, but can call on safeguarding champion Il Ridoto looking for 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 great type and Vincenzo is tasked 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 fantastic races last season and I 'd rather learn where we are in a top race than a common 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 Turning up Easy and Theatre Native.


The former of De Bromhead's duo has won his last three over the bigger barriers and gets here on the back of a specific Listed success at Killarney for Darragh O'Keeffe, while Theatre Native will have the help of champ jockey Sean Bowen.


Coming 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 stated: "They are 2 good horses, and both remain in great type.


"Turning up Easy has won his last 3 and did it nicely at the last day.


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


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


Bad shows up in top form (Nigel French/PA)


The remainder 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 specialist or not. I think he's a various horse to the one I trained a number of years earlier," said Pauling.


"He ran very well in the Boodles (Fred Winter). I know he was nearly preferred and ended up being beaten 10 lengths but he hit the front plenty quickly enough that day.


"We will discover but if he's flexible enough to manage any track, he's going there in really great order and he should be competitive."