Jagwar can strike Gold in Paddy Power at Cheltenham

CHRIS WRIGHT AIMS TO BE FIRST PAST THE FINISHING POST

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njo O'Neill Jr, winning the TrustATrader Plate Handicap chase at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival in March MIKE EGERTON/PA

(MIKE EGERTON/PA)

JAGWAR can secure another Cheltenham victory in the Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap Chase (In memory of Edward O'Grady) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (2.20pm) this afternoon.

Trained by Cheshire handlers Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, the six-year-old scored the Cheltenham Festival in March and he can score again at Prestbury Park in the extended 2m4f feature.

The JP McManus-owned Jagwar has only been beaten once over fences in five starts and still remains a progressive performer.

Having won at Wetherby and Bangor on his first two starts over the bigger obstacles, he suffered his first defeat at Uttoxeter last December. But he bounced back in style to win on Festivals Trials Day at Cheltenham at the end of January when he beat his stablemate Billytherealbigred having travelled and jumped well throughout the 2m4f contest.

He showed his liking for Cheltenham again when beating the reop-posing Thecompanysergeant by two-and-three-quarter lengths in the TrustATrader Plate in March.

Although he is now up 9lbs more for that success and will carry top weight in this contest, he can remain on the upgrade and should be able to confirm the form with that Irish raider.

In a competitive contest there are a few others who make plenty of appeal of at least making the frame. Gavin Cromwell’s aforementioned Thecompanysergeant - runner-up to Jagwar in the Plate - should go close again; while Ben Pauling’s Bad - who scored again at Kempton on his return to action last month - and last year’s winner II Ridoto, from the Paul Nicholls stable, can both run big races. But Jagwar looks like he can continue his progress with another big-race victory.