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 stated a non-runner due to ground conditions.
The distinguished early-season contest had actually been a long-held plan for the training team Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero since landing the Plate with ease at the Cheltenham Festival, and although positive ahead of the race the group will have to hold back running their JP McManus-owned gelding.
He was because of carry top-weight around and with the ground quickly degrading on Friday due to unrelenting rain, connections have actually decided to keep their powder dry with the six-year-old.
It was a bleak 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 way the ground has actually gone, it was going to be extremely tough for him so we have actually decided with Oliver and Josh that we'll await another day," said Frank Berry, racing supervisor to McManus.
"It's a pity to miss the race, but it the very best thing for the horse. It's no big offer and he was ready 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 completed only 9 lengths behind Caldwell Potter when fifth at the Cheltenham Festival.
"This has actually been his target for a long time and his preparation has actually worked out. I enjoy enough with him," stated King.
Trainer Alan King is seeking another Paddy Power Gold Cup win (David Davies/PA)
"He ran extremely well at the Festival - he just got lacked the places in the last 50 lawns.
"He's prepared to draw back and we'll see how we go."
Paul Nicholls may lack the previously mentioned Caldwell Potter, however can contact defending champ Il Ridoto searching 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 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 terrific races last season and I 'd rather learn 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 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 Showing up Easy and Theatre Native.
The former of De Bromhead's duo has won his last 3 over the larger challenges and gets here on the back of a precise Listed success at Killarney for Darragh O'Keeffe, while Theatre Native will have the assistance 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 nice horses, and both remain in excellent kind.
"Turning up Easy has actually won his last three and did it well at Killarney the last day.
"Theatre Native won well around there in 2015 and she had actually a nice 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 terrific."
Bad arrives in top kind (Nigel French/PA)
The remainder of the field is made up 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 if he's just a Kempton expert 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 nearly favourite and wound up being beaten 10 lengths however he struck the front plenty quickly enough that day.
"We will learn but if he's flexible enough to handle any track, he's going there in great order and he should be competitive."