Gold team ponders options

Connections of Celestial Gold will take their time before formulating a definite plan for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup winner.

The six-year-old took the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham two weeks ago before going on to Newbury on Saturday to become the first horse to complete the big-race double since 1980.

He beat Ollie Magern by a length and a half after Timmy Murphy had ridden a supremely confident race on the Martin Pipe-trained runner.

Celestial Gold holds an entry in the bonusprint.com Gold Cup back at Prestbury Park in two weeks but owner David Johnson told At The Races: “I know Martin mentioned Cheltenham but hopefully Our Vic will be back for that.

“He’s obviously an improving horse, he’s only six years old and I think we’ve got to give him the respect he deserves and give him a bit of time, so I don’t think we’ll rush to run him again before Christmas.

“He’s not in the King George and we had no intention of running him in the race. I guess it’s fair to say he’s surprised us a little bit.”