Remarkable improver The Jam Man could take aim at Paisley Park

Trainer Ronan McNally is launching an ambitious bid to take on Paisley Park with his enormous improver The Jam Man in the Grade 1 Marsh Hurdle at Ascot later this month, with his stable star set to be supplemented at a cost of £5,000.

The Armagh trainer, who also runs a kitchen-fitting business, enjoyed one of the biggest days of his career when his progressive six-year-old landed a €80,000 handicap hurdle at Navan on Saturday.

The Jam Man is often ridden out at home by McNally's nine-year-old son Kian, more commonly known as 'Tubbs', who has played his part in the hurdler's extraordinary season.

"Tubbs rides him out at home," said the trainer. "He was involved in getting him ready for Navan and that's part of it all."

Ronan McNally and son Cian, known as 'Tubbs', celebrating The Jam Man's win at Hexham last yearCredit: John Grossick

McNally added: "The Jam Man came out of Saturday in great shape and is going to improve plenty for the run. He only lost 3kg, which is phenomenal because you'd expect him to probably lose 12kg or 15kg. He's bouncing at home since."

McNally is now hoping his charge can develop into a Sun Racing Stayers' Hurdle candidate, despite having plenty to find on ratings. He was raised 10lb to a mark of 138 following Saturday's success.

The Jam Man's latest victory made it four wins on the bounce, having justified strong market support to rattle off a hat-trick in Britain during the summer, leaving behind some underwhelming form.

McNally said: "We're going to step up in grade. If he's sound and in good form at the supplementary stage on Monday [December 16], we'll supplement him for the Long Walk Hurdle that Paisley Park won last year.

The Jam Man (blue and orange stars) went up 10lb to a mark of 138 for winning convincingly at NavanCredit: Caroline Norris

"People will think I'm mad supplementing him, but why not try it? Paisley Park started in handicaps last year off 140 and had to improve. It's possible to do that in a few runs and our horse is battle-hardened. He hurdles really well and goes on any ground.

"We'll follow Paisley Park and if we're good enough then great, but there's no problem if we're not and we can go back to handicaps. He's my own horse so there's no pressure and we're going to find out where we are very quickly."

The nine-time winner, who last year recorded victories off marks as low as 80, 87 and 94, will aim to topple the reigning Stayers' Hurdle champion, rated 169, after a smart success at odds of 33-1 over Tout Est Permis.

The Jam Man: rattled off a hat-trick of wins in Britain earlier this summerCredit: John Grossick Racing

McNally reflected: "He exceeded our expectations last weekend, to be honest. I knew he was capable of doing that but on his first start after a break on a career-high mark, we were testing the water.

"We thought Saturday could act as a prep run for a Pertemps qualifier but now he's rated 138 in Ireland – 144 in England – and would have close to top weight in a Pertemps Final."

He added of his charge's huge progression: "He's just improving all the time. He was beaten off low marks in the past but my horses just weren't right last year.

"Aidan Coleman thought he was a good horse when he was riding him in England but wasn't sure what he was beating in terms of quality. He only cost €10,000 and was very disappointing starting off but he had issues with ulcers early on."

Earlier this year McNally saddled 16-year-old See Double You to become the oldest winner in Ireland for 32 years.

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