Jagwar team 'leaning towards' novice option for Cheltenham Festival handicap favourite

The preferred Cheltenham Festival target for Jagwar is the Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase but a final decision will be made in a week's time. 

Joint-trainer Oliver Greenall said connections were "leaning towards" Thursday's novice handicap, for which he is 4-1 favourite. He also has the option of the TrustATrader Plate, in which he heads the betting at 6-1, later on the card. 

The six-year-old, trained by Greenall and Josh Guerriero and owned by JP McManus, recorded his third win of the campaign when beating stablemate Billytherealbigred at Cheltenham's Trials day fixture.

Greenall said: "We haven't made a decision yet, I imagine we'll make it when we declare but I'm leaning towards the novice race.

"The thinking being is that he is a novice and running against more experienced horses in the Plate might just put his jumping under pressure a fraction. That said, he did jump well at Cheltenham last time. There's no real preference yet though."

The Cheshire-based stable also looks to have a live Randox Grand National contender in Iroko, who advertised his Aintree credentials with a good second to Grey Dawning in Kelso's Premier Chase on Saturday.

The seven-year-old is 12-1 for National success, having finished second and third in Grade 1s at the track in the last two seasons.

Greenall said: "Straight away after Saturday's race I was a bit disappointed, but looking at the times it was a pleasing run. Racing Post Ratings put him up 3lb but the handicapper has left him the same. 

"Grey Dawning is a Grade 1 winner and the track and ground suited him ideally. Iroko had a proper race but not a grueller so it should be a great prep for the National."

Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (2.00 Cheltenham, March 13)

William Hill: 4 Jagwar, 7 Nurburgring, 8 Answer To Kayf, Asian Master, Firefox, 10 Jordans, Springwell Bay, 12 bar

TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (4.40 Cheltenham, March 13)

Hills: 6 Jagwar, 7 Crebilly, 8 Firefox, Masaccio, Springwell Bay, Thecompanysergeant, 10 American Mike, 12 bar

Read more:

'We'll let him bowl down the hill' - Noel George confident that record of front-runners makes Ryanair the right target for Il Est Francais 

Impressive Trials day winner Sixmilebridge set to be disqualified after failing dope test - but Cheltenham Festival still the aim 

‘I was the only one who bid for him’ - the remarkable tale of the ITV Racing star bought for £1,000

Don't miss your invaluable companion to the Cheltenham Festival, out now. Order here