Jagwar‘s joint-trainer Josh Guerriero has announced that the seven-year-old is likely to run in the Grand National. He will join stablemate Iroko, who was the ante-post favourite for the race until recently.
It has been a frustrating season for followers of Jagwar. After he shot through the ranks last term with a convincing win at the Cheltenham Festival, this season has been one of near misses. His form has been consistent, with three placed efforts in as many starts, but none have been victories.
Third in the December Gold Cup and second on Trials Day over around 2m4f, Jagwar was stepped up in trip for the Festival. He was well-backed, but after early errors, was shuffled back through the field. Staying on strongly, he only narrowly failed to peg back Johnnywho, who, like Jagwar, carries JP McManus’ famous silks.
It was a run full of promise once again. That it came on his first start beyond 3m suggests he is a staying chaser in the making. It would now appear that plans are in place for him to tackle the furthest trip of them all.
“It’s nice to see how well he stayed” – Guerriero
Guerriero trains in partnership with Oliver Greenall. The pair have rued missed chances with Jagwar, but took the positives from his Cheltenham Festival effort.
Indeed, Guerriero believes that Cheltenham itself may have caused as many hindrances to Jagwar as any other factor. Speaking on Nick Luck’s Daily Podcast, as reported by Sporting Life, he said: “Jagwar, we’re thinking, is going to go to the Grand National if he’s alright leading up to it.
“I don’t think Cheltenham suits him that much which sounds silly, but I just think with the undulations and the bends it unbalances him and his jumping goes to pot a little bit, because he is so big and he struggled to go round the course.
“But we take positives from it. It’s nice to see how well he stayed and the ground he lost at the fences, to still come back and finish like he did, I thought was quite impressive really.”
Iroko “will be fine for Aintree”
Iroko also ran in the Ultima Handicap Chase, fading to finish tenth. It was an effort well below his best, but one explained by a routine check after he finished.
“Iroko wasn’t quite right after his run, he just didn’t turn up, didn’t run a race at all from the off he wasn’t himself.
“He just had a slightly dirty scope. Antibiotics, a bit of time, and it will be no problem.”
Such an issue just before a big race may ward off some punters. However, Guerriero gave him the green light to attempt to better last year’s fourth in the Grand National.
“I’m glad we found something and he’ll be fine for Aintree.”