Hold your bets on Our Vic, says Johnson

David Johnson has warned punters to hold their bets on Our Vic for the Stan James King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day.

The talented six-year-old was leading the field for the Bonusprint.com Gold Cup at the weekend before crumpling on landing after the last obstacle.

Our Vic is a general 7-1 shot for the race but Johnson also has Friday’s impressive Cheltenham winner Therealbandit as another possible runner.

“He is sore and stiff and bruised but that apart he is okay,” he told the Racing Post.

“He ate up last night and this morning but he is a bit sorry for himself and he looks as though he has been 10 rounds with Mike Tyson.

“He has an entry for the King George, that is 14 days away and that remains on the agenda but I would advise people to hold their bets as I don’t think he will be a shorter price on the day.

“We will just have to see how he comes on, the last thing Martin Pipe will do is rush him – we thought the world of him and we still do.

“Therealbandit is in the King George as well and he would be an able deputy, though we would have to think about the Pillar Chase for him and for (Hennessy Gold Cup winner) Celestial Gold.”