CHELTENHAM SATURDAY

JONJO O’Neill knows what it takes to win Cheltenham’s first big handicap chase of the new season and the inaugural BetVictor Gold Cup came his way on Saturday when Taquin Du Seuil proved a neck too good for Village Vic. Habitual bridesmaid Buywise finished a couple of lengths away in third.

The winner started at 8/1, having been steadily backed during the day. Fit following a prep run in good company over hurdles, he lost his pitch in mid-race following a couple of errors but started to pick up again for Aidan Coleman before three out.

Village Vic was still in front at that stage under Richard Johnson but he came under pressure as they started the final climb and Taquin Du Seuil, with Coleman at his strongest, wore him down with 50 yards to go and went on close home. Aso was only two lengths down at the final fence but could not go on and Buywise, runner-up 12 months ago. took third.

Taquin Du Seuil was Grade 1-class as a hurdler and has kept top company over fences, finishing sixth in the Ryanair here last season. Consequently, he was set a seemingly stiff task with 11st 11lb but the overnight rain was in his favour and two and a half miles is clearly perfect for him. In addition, his trainer had won the race twice before, with Exotic Dancer and Johns Spirit, under different sponsorship.

Philip Hobbs’ Village Vic ran a mighty race off a mark 19lb higher than his winning one in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup here just under a year ago. His performance suggests that Venetia Williams’ Tenor Nivernais, who was conceding him a pound that day, would have gone very close on very soft ground but the trainer took him out after insufficient rain.

O’Neill had described his other runner, More Of That, as the best horse he has ever trained, which helped push his price down to 7/2. However, the favourite was never really travelling for Barry Geraghty, who pulled him up after the last. O’Neill acknowledged that More Of That, who broke a blood vessel in the RSA Chase last March, still has a problem, though nothing came to light immediately after last week’s race.

VERY LUCKY

“I’m very lucky we had a replacement to do the job for us,’’ O’Neill said with a smile. “I wasn’t too happy with Aidan going down to the water jump because I thought he should have been nearer but he told me he was flat out. He’s actually given him a great ride. This horse loves Cheltenham and a battle.’’

There is no doubt first and second are classy individuals and the winner became the first horse to carry more than 11st 9lb to victory since Bradbury Star in 1994. The obvious target for Taquin Du Seuil is the Caspiann Caviar next month, when Village Vic will no doubt be a couple of pounds better off. Much will depend on the ground but it is hard to imagine any of the vanquished on Saturday turning things around. Heavy rain would cheer the Williams camp, however.

Already cheered is Coleman, who was ending a 19-day losing streak after fracturing a cheekbone at Wetherby.

“Jonjo’s a fantastic man to ride for,’’ he said. “I could not be happier for him and the whole team at Jackdaws. But it wasn’t class that counted for this horse today, it was heart. From the back of the last he was brilliant.’’