Ground Conditions Put Paid to Jagwar ´ S Cheltenham Bid

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


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


He was due to carry top-weight around Cheltenham and with the ground rapidly weakening on Friday due to unrelenting rain, connections have 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 due to the fact that of the method the ground has actually gone, it was going to be really difficult for him so we have actually decided with Oliver and Josh that we'll wait on another day," stated Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus.


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


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


Alan King, a trainer who ten years ago struck with Annacotty, runs Es Perfecto in the exact same colours - a gelding who completed only 9 lengths behind Caldwell Potter when fifth 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," stated King.


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


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


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


Paul Nicholls may lack the aforementioned Caldwell Potter, but can get in touch with defending champion Il Ridoto looking for a fifth win in the race, while Dan Skelton will saddle Anxiety attack, Hoe Joly Smoke and Newton Abbot winner Riskintheground.


Meanwhile, has his string in great form and Vincenzo is entrusted 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 excellent races last season and I 'd rather discover out where we remain in a top race than a regular race," stated 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 3 over the larger barriers and gets here on the back of a well-defined Listed success at Killarney for Darragh O'Keeffe, while Theatre Native will have the support of champion 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 2 nice horses, and both remain in excellent type.


"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 'd a good very first run back in Limerick, so hopefully she will advance from that.


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


Bad gets here in top kind (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 discover out if he's just a Kempton professional or not. I believe he's a various horse to the one I trained a couple of years ago," stated Pauling.


"He ran effectively in the Boodles (Fred Winter). I know he was almost preferred and ended up being beaten 10 lengths however 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 great order and he should be competitive."