Vic shoots for Cheltenham glory

A review of the rest of the New Year’s Day action from Cheltenham as Village Vic bids to enhance his fantastic course record.

Village Vic returns to his favourite course for the BetBright Best For Festival Betting Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Sunday.

The Philip Hobbs-trained runner won the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup last season, as well as this race, and he has already put up two creditable displays in Cheltenham’s two biggest handicaps this term.

Reeled in by Taquin Du Seuil in the final strides of the BetVictor Gold Cup, he ran another game race when third to Frodon in the Caspian Caviar.

“Fingers crossed he’ll run another good race,” said champion jockey Richard Johnson, who has ridden the gelding in 19 of his 24 starts.

“He still seems in great form and his two runs this year have arguably been career-bests. It’s just that this year things are harder for him as he’s much higher in the weights, but you couldn’t crab what he’s done this season.

“If he runs his race again, and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t, you’d have to expect him to be there or thereabouts.”

Vaniteux steps up in trip for Nicky Henderson, but the Seven Barrows handler admits he is still in the dark about which distance suits him best. He was in with a shout of second place in the Arkle last season before unseating at the second last, and has failed to hit the target in two starts so far this term.

“We’re going back up in trip with him,” said Henderson.

“It is the oft-debated subject and plenty of people have an opinion about it. When …

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