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Gary Moore anticipating bold show over extra distance
Gary Moore is confident Baron Alco will have no problems in seeing out a new trip in the 888Sport Handicap Chase at Kempton on Saturday week.
The eight-year-old will step up to three miles for the first time in his career as he attempts to give the Lower Beeding handler his first victory in the Grade Three contest.
After winning the BetVictor Gold Cup at Cheltenham on his penultimate start in November, the John Stone-owned gelding has not been sighted since finishing fourth at the Gloucestershire track the following month in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup.
Moore said: “Baron Alco runs in what was the Racing Post Chase at Kempton next weekend.
“After he finished fourth behind Frodon, this has always been the race we’ve had in mind for him.
“He has been crying out for a step up to three miles and this is going to be a good chance for him.
“Jamie (Moore) said he stuck at it well last time as he could have easily laid down after two out, but he kept going.
“Finishing fourth behind Frodon now looks like very good form.”
Moore hopes that Knocknanuss can bounce back to form in the Arkle Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival after the nine-year-old suffered an early fall in the Irish equivalent at Leopardstown earlier this month.
He added: “Knocknanuss was very sore through his shoulder all last week and the race was a bit of a mess really.
“(Tuesday) was the first day we cantered him back. He moved great and hopefully he will go to the Cheltenham Festival.
“The Arkle is where he is going as it stands and that is cutting up a bit. I’d like to imagine he is a lively outsider.”