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JAGWAR was due to contest the November Gold Cup at Cheltenham four weeks ago, but was taken out of the race due to the significant softening of the ground through Friday. With conditions on the New Course set to be less stamina sapping, the progressive six-year-old will try and defy a mark of 148 this afternoon in The Support The Hunt Family December Gold Cup.

This famous event is named after the family of John Hunt, whose wife and daughters were tragically the victims of a horrendous attack 18 months ago. All proceeds will go to a charity set up by John and his daughter Amy to help and inspire young women. As a friend of John’s from my formative years as a journalist and broadcaster I ask that, if you can, please lend your support to this initiative. It is a wonderful cause, and your backing would be the best Christmas present you could give.

The field this year doesn’t look as strong as the aforementioned November Gold Cup with four runners re-opposing including the second and third respectively, Vincenzo and Holy Joe Smoke.

The last named of that pair really has to be ridden with kid gloves and looked set to power up the hill a month ago until nearly taking the second last by the roots. Vincenzo ran as if the run was probably just needed leading down to the last before succumbing to the brilliant Panic Attack, who then went on to cement that form and then some by running away with the Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury.

Of the pair I prefer Vincenzo, but all of the above could well prove vulnerable to the top weight GA LAW and stable mate Colonel Harry. The last named bounced back to winning form following with a seriously good display to win the Grand Sefton Chase over the National fences and his trainer Jamie Snowden still considers him well treated off only a 4lbs higher mark, as long as the ground doesn’t dry out too much.

But his stable neighbour could well have his measure in receipt of a pound, courtesy of the very capable Isabelle Ryder taking 7lbs off his back.

This is the first time since his last win in January 2024 that the now nine-year-old is able to run off a mark below 150. Three miles was simply too far for him last time out in the Charlie Hall Chase behind Djelo (form franked by the winner landing the Peterborough Chase since), but if he reproduces his third to Gaelic Warrior at the back end of last season and the ground doesn’t get too soft, there is no reason why he can’t make his presence felt off this rating.

There are some progressive juvenile hurdlers set to open the card in the Triumph Hurdle Trial at 12.10 and in a field of 10, the one I am most looking forward to seeing is the Irish raider CINAMMON COCO. He has looked a strong stayer on each of his four hurdling starts and this stiffer track at Cheltenham should play very much to his strengths, as will the experience from his maiden win on the flat at Dundalk last month. Of his rivals, the unbeaten pair Minella Study and One Horse Town will have to take another significant step forward to defy their 7lbs penalties, but any support in the market for the Skelton newcomer Arnolphe would be hugely significant.

I am not sure that The Jukebox Kid can give 15lbs away to ZERTAKT (12.40) in the staying handicap chase, while Theonewedreamedof may be let down by her jumping in the mares handicap chase at 1.15 and I much prefer the claims of BATWOMEN at a huge price. 

She has always looked a thorough stayer over hurdles and confirmed that view when plugging on behind Kalif D’Airy at Lingfield Park last time out, after being held up off just an even gallop for much of the journey. Dropped a pound to a mark of 116 here, the daughter of Presenting should get the fast pace she needs to reel in her rivals from the long run into the home stretch and I expect her to hit the frame at the very least with the likes of Party Vibes and stable mate Sainte Doctor set to be her biggest rivals.

Talking of pace, Sans Bruit looks sure to be near the head of affairs for the two-mile handicap chase (2.25). But this may well go to the progressive DAVID’S WELL, a strong running winner at Haydock Park last time out and with the services of Harry Cobden this time around. I shall also be having a saver on Joker De Mai who is way better than his last two starts at Aintree and Stratford in spring would suggest and has a fair record when fresh.

At the back end of the Cheltenham card have a second look at BIG CADILLAC (3.00) who has been crying out for this extended trip following his sole start at Ffos Las and SIOG GEAL (3.35) in the closing mares handicap hurdle.

The last named put in a big performance to land the big novice mares handicap hurdle at Newbury in the spring and confirmed that staying was her game when a strong finishing third behind Hartingdon at Carlisle. I think that she can make the most of the 18lbs that she is set receive from the classy top weight Jubilee Alpha.

The going will be pretty testing at Fairyhouse this afternoon, but that shouldn’t prove a problem for JACOB’S LADDER in the opening Beginners Chase at 11.30 or for KENTUCKY BEACH in the two mile handicap hurdle at 1.05. The last named ran a cracker in heavy ground at Gowran Park last time out when just touched off by a neck by Welluknow and can make amends off a 5lbs higher mark here with the promising Tiernan Power Roche once again in the saddle.

At Doncaster, the feature Pennine Handicap Chase may go the way of DOCPICKEDME (2.05) who just did too much too soon when tiring late on behind Konfusion in the Rehearsal Handicap Chase at Newcastle. This looks a cracking chance to gain handsome compensation at the main expense of bottom weight Prince Zaltar.

Finally on the level, have a look at the outstandingly well handicapped AMERJEET (Wolverhampton, 5.00) and CIOTOG (6.00). The first named may well be revitalised following a switch of yards, while the latter has a much better record around the Dunstall Park track than at the other all-weather venues and has a lovely sit in stall three here with the help of Billy “The Kid” Loughnane in the saddle.