Baron Alco Tops 37 Contenders for Caspian Caviar Gold Cup

Baron Alco Tops 37 Contenders for Caspian Caviar Gold Cup

The Gary Moore-trained Baron Alco, spearheads a 37-strong field for next month's Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham.

The 7yo landed the BetVictor Gold Cup at the Festival venue earlier this month and will be seeking a rare quick-fire double, a feat only ever accomplished three times before.

The form from that race is intriguing, as Baron Alco beat both Frodon and Guitar Pete into second and third respectively, who not only lineup here, but are both memorable winners in the past of the Grade 3 Christmas Showpiece.

Frodon won this contest for Paul Nicholls back in 2016, before the Nicky Richards trained-Guitar Pete was effectively handed this race twelve months ago in somewhat upsetting circumstances; as Starchitect was fatally injured when seven lengths clear up the straight.

Only one horse in the history of the event has won it twice, and it was a Paul Nicholls recruit - Poquelin who won it in both 2009 and 2010.

Gary Moore also has Casse Tete and Benatar - the latter who needs to recover from a poor showing at Ascot at the weekend, albeit in a higher grade.

The challengers come from a whole host of yards. Including Frodon, Paul Nicholls has seven potentials, including a trio in the McManus silks, with Movewiththetimes, Le Prezien and Modus. He also has San Benedeto, who won a Grade 1 at Aintree last year, and always runs with great credit. Romain De Senam and Magic Saint complete the Somerset crew.

Nicky Henderson has four chances, including Gold Present who returned with an excellent third to Politiologue on Saturday, and Rather Be who was brought down when running notably well in an action-packed BetVictor.

Other notable entries are Peter Bowen's Beggar's Wishes, David Dennis' Deauville Dancer - who scored at Kempton on Monday, and Marienstar - who completed a hat-trick at Warwick last week for Neil King.