Grand National Next for Jagwar After Narrow Ultima Defeat
3 minutes The seven-year-old, trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, was sent off the 3-1 favourite for the 3m1f contest but ultimately had to settle for second after finishing just half a length behind fellow JP McManus-owned runner Johnnywho.
Jagwar could now be aimed at the Randox Grand National following a determined runner-up effort in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham, with his connections believing the track may not have played to his strengths.
The seven-year-old, trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, was sent off the 3-1 favourite for the 3m1f contest but ultimately had to settle for second after finishing just half a length behind fellow JP McManus-owned runner Johnnywho.
Jagwar had already proven his ability at the Cheltenham Festival last season when landing the Plate in convincing fashion on the New Course. However, returning this year from a mark 13lb higher and tackling the longest trip of his career, he faced a different challenge on the sharper Old Course.
Held up towards the rear by jockey Mark Walsh, Jagwar produced several imperfect jumps during the race but began to close strongly in the closing stages. Despite finishing powerfully after the final fence, he was unable to reel in the winner.
Joint-trainer Josh Guerriero felt the track configuration played a key role in the outcome.
“It was a very good run, but it’s frustrating,” Guerriero admitted. “He missed one important jump down the back and I do think the track made a big difference. As Mark said afterwards, it was so sharp for him. The Old Course is a lot tighter than the New Course and it looked that way during the race.”
He also explained how Walsh attempted to compensate by moving the horse wider on the track.
“Because he wasn’t jumping quite right, Mark said he took him out wide so he could see his fences better. That helped a bit, but then he was losing ground around the bends. He’s such a big horse and sometimes struggles to organise himself quickly enough.”
Despite the narrow defeat, Jagwar’s performance has strengthened the belief among his connections that a step up to the Grand National trip could suit him well.
Guerriero indicated that Aintree’s unique course layout might actually play to the gelding’s strengths.
“He’s got a huge engine and we’re likely to head to the National now,” he said. “His jumping isn’t always perfect, but he’s safe and the National fences could actually help him focus more.”
“The track there lets horses run in a straight line and he can really use that big stride of his.”
The stable could also be doubly represented in the £1 million showpiece, with last year’s fourth-place finisher Iroko another possible contender. Although he finished tenth behind Jagwar at Cheltenham, he remains a prominent name in the early betting for Aintree.
Guerriero also suggested equipment changes could still be considered before the National.
“We didn’t use cheekpieces at Cheltenham because I thought stepping up in trip might make him a bit keen,” he explained. “But it’s possible we’ll look at them again for the National.”
After his valiant performance in the Ultima, Jagwar now appears firmly on course for Aintree, where his stamina and long stride could make him a major player in the world’s most famous steeplechase.