CHELTENHAM SATURDAY

BARON Alco, as tough as they come, ran out an ultra-game winner of the Grade 3 BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The seven-year-old (8/1) made all and galloped on strongly under a very hard drive from Jamie Moore to hold the persistent Frodon, who was conceding 15lbs, by two lengths. Guitar Pete came next, followed by Mister Whitaker, Eamon An Cnoic and Javert. In an incident-packed race, they were the only six to finish.

Baron Alco defied a 4lb increase for his Chepstow win in style. He jumped exceptionally well and already had his field in trouble when soaring over the fourth last and kicking clear.

Frodon ran a blinder under 11st 12lb for Bryony Frost but could not quite get up close home. Guitar Peter also likes it here and ran well enough in third to promise a bold repeat show in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup next month.

HARD LUCK

There were any number of genuine hard luck stories. Willie Boy was still chasing the winner when falling four out, where the well-fancied Rather Be and Happy Diva were brought down. Ballyandy also forfeited his chance there, and Kalondra was moving purposefully when a mistake at the 12th gave Noel Fehily no chance of maintaining the partnership.

“The jockey and the horse are very, very bold and they were up front, out of the way and getting on with it,” said winning trainer Gary Moore. “Baron Alco is all heart, he’s a trier and when he jumps like that he’ll always win races. He’s very talented.”

Jamie Moore came in for the ride, replacing brother Josh, when his original intended mount, Benatar, was withdrawn after an abnormal blood analysis. He paid tribute to his father, pointing out that five-furlong sprinters and long-distance chasers come alike to him and he has a special talent right across the board.

WHIP ABUSE

The jockey was correctly stood down for two days after the kind of whip finish that brought back unwelcome memories. On landing over the last, Baron Alco was driven flat out and the blows behind the saddle looked fierce.

If the race is valuable enough, the whip guidelines mean little and there is not a winning jockey in the weigh-room who cares overmuch about a two-day suspension, probably served on ‘routine’ days.

Bans imposed on the next three or four Saturdays might make a difference.