Ground Conditions Put Paid to Jagwar ´ S Cheltenham Bid
Ante-post Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase favourite Jagwar has actually been dismissed of Saturday's Cheltenham showpiece, being stated a non-runner due to ground conditions.
The distinguished 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 team will have to hold back running their JP McManus-owned gelding.
He was because of bring top-weight around Cheltenham and with the ground rapidly weakening on Friday due to relentless rain, connections have actually 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 because of the method the ground has actually gone, it was going to be very difficult for him so we've decided with Oliver and Josh that we'll wait on another day," said Frank Berry, racing supervisor to McManus.
"It's a pity to miss out on the race, however it the finest thing for the horse. It's no big deal and he was prepared 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 extremely well and was all set to go."
Alan King, a fitness instructor who 10 years ago struck with Annacotty, runs Es Perfecto in the same colours - a gelding who finished just 9 lengths behind Caldwell Potter when fifth at the Cheltenham Festival.
"This has been his target for some time and his preparation has gone well. I enjoy 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 run out of the locations in the last 50 backyards.
"He's prepared to begin back and we'll see how we go."
Paul Nicholls may lack the abovementioned Caldwell Potter, however can call on protecting champion Il Ridoto in search of a 5th win in the race, while Dan Skelton will saddle Panic Attack, Hoe Joly Smoke and Newton Abbot .
Meanwhile, Sam Thomas has his string in fine type and Vincenzo is entrusted with striking while the iron is hot after some consistent 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 find out where we are 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 Coming Up Easy and Theatre Native.
The previous of De Bromhead's duo has won his last 3 over the bigger barriers and arrives on the back of a precise Listed success at Killarney for Darragh O'Keeffe, while Theatre Native will have the support 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 2 great horses, and both remain in great form.
"Coming Up Easy has actually won his last three and did it well at Killarney the last day.
"Theatre Native won well around there last year and she 'd a great 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 excellent."
Bad arrives in top 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 find out if he's simply a Kempton expert or not. I think he's a different horse to the one I trained a number 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 but he struck the front plenty quickly enough that day.
"We will learn but if he's versatile enough to deal with any track, he's going there in great order and he ought to be competitive."