Johnson Hoping Vic Can Complete Double Owner David Johnson is targeting a big-race double with Our Vic in Saturday´s Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup at Cheltenham. The seven-year-old landed the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Prestbury Park last month and Johnson is hoping he can follow up in this weekend´s two-mile-five-furlong feature. If Our Vic does it, he will become only the third horse to complete the double after Senor El Betrutti in 1997 and Pegwell Bay in 1988. Johnson said: “Our Vic has gone up 9lb for having won the Paddy Power Gold Cup, but he´s a big horse and should carry the extra weight. “I hope lightning can strike twice. He has had a month off and is fit and fresh, but it is now in the lap of the gods as to whether he can win two big Cheltenham handicaps in a row.” Trainer Martin Pipe added: “I´m very pleased with Our Vic - he´s very well at the moment.” Our Vic looked set to win the race last year when coming to the last fence in the lead only to crumple on landing and ditch jockey Timmy Murphy. Pipe will be bidding for a third win in the race, which is sponsored by totesport, after hitting the target with Fragrant Dawn in 1993 and Northern Starlight in 1998. He could also run It Takes Time, Therealbandit and Tango Royal, but initial top weight Celestial Gold was taken out of the race at the five-day stage.? PA Sport
