Confidence behind Vic's Power bid

David Johnson has given leading fancy Our Vic a big vote of confidence for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The champion owner is taking plenty of heart from the Tripleprint Gold Cup last December in which Our Vic still held a narrow lead over Monkerhostin when crumpling on landing at the final fence.

Mindful of the fact Our Vic is better off at the weights on that running with the latter – who heads ante-post lists on the weekend’s race – Johnson said: “Our Vic is a definite runner and has delighted Martin Pipe in his preparation.

“He’s 17lb better in with Monkerhostin from a race in which he would at worst have finished second to him.

“If he runs anywhere near that form on Saturday he will finish where Monkerhostin does and he must have a great chance.”

Johnson is undecided what else will represent him in the Paddy Power and he added: “I shall have six or seven entries at the five-day stage, but I can’t say for certain which will join Our Vic.

“The race is still a week away and in a situation where they can be sound today and lame tomorrow I have to keep my options open.”

Last year’s winner Celestial Gold is set to be included at the confirmation stage, along with It Takes Time and Zeta’s River and Johnson added: “Celestial Gold showed that two miles five furlongs around Cheltenham is OK for him and even though he ran over further after that, I think he has the speed to be effective in the Paddy Power.

“But we won’t make up our minds whether he runs until later in the week.”