The 20-runner TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase may be one of the most competitive handicaps of the Cheltenham Festival but Jagwar (3/1 favourite) justified his position at the head of the market to take the honours by two and three-quarter lengths under Jonjo O’Neill Jr.

It was the fourth winner of the week so far for owner J.P. McManus.

Oliver Greenall, who trains the winner alongside Josh Guerriero, said: “First time out over fences his jumping wasn’t great; last time at Cheltenham he was really good, but I think in a more competitive race his jumping just let him down at a few, but he just kept coming back on the bridle and Jonjo said he had plenty of horse underneath him. He made a mistake at the last but he’s won with his ears pricked.

“He’s just a big baby. He’s the biggest horse we’ve ever had, he measures 18hh, so he’s still fairly weak and needs to muscle up behind. Once he does I think his jumping will probably improve. You see him drag his back legs through the fences a bit, which isn’t ideal.

“This is our second Festival winner and we’re absolutely delighted. I was listening to something on TV where J.P. said this was one of the races he hasn’t won before, and I instantly got goosebumps. To win it is very special.”

Jonjo O’Neill Jr said: “He’s huge. He’s always had ability, it’s just his jumping has been a bit of his Achilles heel. The boys, Oliver and Josh, have done a magnificent job with him. Fences have really been the making of him.”

He added: “Listen, It’s a job I really enjoy and it’s fantastic. I had my first Festival winner about six years ago, and it’s felt like a lifetime. But a month ago, when poor old Mikey died, I definitely have a different perspective on life. We lost Springwell Bay in the first and that was really upsetting. When you’ve got someone with such a beautiful soul as Michael passing away, this is just sport at the end of the day. The lads, the English and Irish lads, have been under a massive cloud the last month.

“Michael touched so many people in 24 years, anyone would have been so jealous of that in their entire lifetime. You can just tell by the way people are, how upsetting it is. Although this is a great day, we are just thinking of Michael and his family, because not only was such a good rider, he was a really, really good friend to a lot of people. I actually wore his Cork flag in this race as I felt I needed a little bit of luck. I said a couple of prayers to Michael last night and this morning, just for a hand, and he’s really come up trumps. It’s been a mental week; with Marine Nationale and Jazzy Matty winning yesterday. Hopefully Alan, his brother, can ride a winner in the last now. It’s been a very, very poignant week. Michael has had a very, very fitting tribute, and it’s very much deserved.”

Cromwell runner placed

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of the second Thecompanysergeant, said: “We got him at the horses-in-training sale at Goffs back in the autumn. He had one run over hurdles, then we gave him a break after that, and we said we would target him here and the plan has nearly come off.

“When I got him he was a novice over fences, and he is still a novice over fences, as he hasn’t won a race over fences yet.

“I bought him for the novices’ handicap chase. I entered him in both races, but I switched him as I thought Caldwell Potter looked a good thing in the novices’ handicap chase.

“I certainly wasn’t thinking beyond today when he was jumping the last. I thought the whole way up the straight we needed Jagwar to make a bad mistake at the last.

“This lad hasn’t missed a beat. He jumped really well, apart from making a small mistake at the ditch which pushed him back a bit and he had to come a bit wide, but on the whole he has had a nice ride around.”

Alan King said of the third Masaccio: “He has run a grand race and I’m very happy with him. The start wasn’t ideal, but there we go. He has jumped away grand.

"We were a little better off at the weights with the winner, but he is obviously an improving horse as well.

“It was a very good novices’ handicap chase here in January, but we are happy with him.

“I think we can probably go up in trip with him, but I didn’t want to do it this week with cheekpieces on, however maybe I should have done.

“I’m not sure if there is anything at Aintree for him or Ayr, although Ayr would be a quick enough track for him, but I’d like to run him once more this season, and probably over a bit further.

“His part owner Niall Farrell recently died so we will enjoy this today as it is great to see his silks back in here.

“I think we could look at the Coral Gold Cup next season and have a run beforehand.

"Eventually he could be for those real long distance races as he is so relaxed and he gives himself every chance of staying.”