Ground Conditions Put Paid to Jagwar ´ S Cheltenham Bid

Ante-post Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase preferred Jagwar has actually 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 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 due to carry top-weight around Cheltenham and with the ground quickly deteriorating on Friday due to unrelenting rain, connections have decided 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 because of the method the ground has actually gone, it was going to be really hard for him so we've decided with Oliver and Josh that we'll await another day," said Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus.


"It's a pity to miss out on the race, but it the finest thing for the horse. It's no big offer and he was prepared to run, it's just the ground has opted for him.


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


Alan King, a trainer who 10 years ago struck with Annacotty, runs Es Perfecto in the exact same colours - a gelding who finished only nine lengths behind Caldwell Potter when 5th at the Cheltenham Festival.


"This has been his target for a long time and his preparation has actually 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 just got lacked the locations in the last 50 backyards.


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


Paul Nicholls might be without the abovementioned Caldwell Potter, however can call on protecting champion Il Ridoto looking 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 type and Vincenzo is entrusted 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 terrific races last season and I 'd rather discover where we remain in a leading 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 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 won his last three over the larger obstacles and gets here on the back of a clear-cut Listed success at Killarney for Darragh O'Keeffe, while Theatre Native will have the assistance of champion 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 good horses, and both remain in great type.


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


"Theatre Native won well around there in 2015 and she 'd a good first run back in Limerick, so ideally she will step forward from that.


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


Bad shows up in leading form (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 professional or not. I think he's a various horse to the one I trained a number of years ago," said Pauling.


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


"We will discover but if he's versatile enough to handle any track, he's going there in really good order and he ought to be competitive."