“THAT was the plan,’’ Philip Hobbs smiled when asked about future running plans for Village Vic, all-the-way winner of the very valuable Grade 3 Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday. The eight-year-old, with Richard Johnson sweating off a couple of pounds to ride off a bargain basement weight, made all the running to beat stable-companion Champagne West by four and a half lengths with Tenor Nivernais a length away in third.

Previously at Musselburgh, Village Vic had won a fair chase by the Scottish track’s standards. It meant he was raised 7lb, leaving him on 10 stones exactly. Having attracted some handy wagers, including a £3,600/£400 on course, he closed in to 8/1 and was always leading his rivals a merry dance, jumping fluently the whole way and galloping on strongly when Johnson asked for a final effort approaching two out.