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 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 and Josh Guerriero considering that landing the Plate with ease at the Cheltenham Festival, and although confident ahead of the race the group will have to hold back running their JP McManus-owned gelding.
He was because of bring top-weight around Cheltenham and with the ground quickly weakening on Friday due to relentless rain, connections have actually 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 since of the way the ground has gone, it was going to be really difficult for him so we've decided with Oliver and Josh that we'll wait on another day," stated Frank Berry, racing supervisor to McManus.
"It's a pity to miss out on the race, but it the best thing for the horse. It's no huge deal and he was ready 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 ended up just 9 lengths behind Caldwell Potter when 5th at the Cheltenham Festival.
"This has been his target for a long time and his preparation has worked out. I more than happy 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 places in the last 50 yards.
"He's ready to begin back and we'll see how we go."
Paul Nicholls may lack the aforementioned Caldwell Potter, however can call on safeguarding 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, Sam Thomas has his string in great form and Vincenzo is tasked with striking 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 top race than an ordinary 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 shows up on the back of a well-defined Listed success at Killarney for Darragh O'Keeffe, while Theatre Native will have the assistance of champion 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 incorrect pic.twitter.com/g99UcNmj7K
- KillarneyRaces (@KillarneyRaces) August 23, 2025
De Bromhead stated: "They are two good horses, and both are in great form.
"Coming Up Easy has won his last 3 and did it nicely at Killarney the last day.
"Theatre Native won well around there last year and she had actually a nice 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 type which is terrific."
Bad shows up in leading kind (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 just a Kempton specialist or not. I think he's a different horse to the one I trained a number of years earlier," said Pauling.
"He ran effectively in the Boodles (Fred Winter). I understand he was nearly preferred and ended up being beaten 10 lengths however he struck the front plenty quickly enough that day.
"We will learn however if he's versatile enough to manage any track, he's going there in excellent order and he should be competitive."