Jagwar, after making his seasonal return with a third-place finish at Cheltenham, could potentially be stepped up to a three-mile race in the near future. The six-year-old struggled with jumping in December’s Support the Hunt Family Fund Gold Cup Handicap Chase, and it was clear that his form had dipped since winning the TrustATrader Plate at the festival.
Glengorrie, guided by Sean Bowen, dominated the race and secured victory for Fay Bramley, finishing just under two lengths ahead. Josh Guerriero, who trains Jagwar alongside Oliver Greenall, acknowledged that the race conditions didn’t suit their horse, but believes a longer spring race would better match the JP McManus-owned gelding’s strengths.
Guerriero commented, “The race was far from ideal as there was no consistent pace. The horses that led stayed in front throughout, but we were stuck at the back with a slow pace, which made it very demanding for him.” He added, “Jagwar tends to jump a bit roughly, which is part of his style, but with more experience, he should improve.” Guerriero also mentioned that Jagwar might run at the Cheltenham trial day, and emphasized that the horse needs to enhance his performance to move up in class. “In the spring, he might step up to three miles to find a competitive handicap race,” he said.
Fan Take: This update is significant for horse racing enthusiasts as it highlights Jagwar’s potential growth and adaptability, which could add excitement to upcoming spring races. Watching a talented horse like Jagwar develop and tackle longer distances keeps the sport dynamic and demonstrates the strategic planning behind training elite racehorses.
