Our Vic wins Charlie Hall Chase

Our Vic enjoyed a winning start to his season at Wetherby

Our Vic gave Timmy Murphy a 591-1 treble with a well-earned victory in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby.

The David Pipe-trained eight-year-old jumped solidly and powered into the lead just after the turn for home.

He negotiated the fourth-last superbly to overtake Neptune Collonges, who ran impressively on his chasing debut.

Murphy's mount was well clear of the rest of the field and he guided him safely over the last three fences for a seven-length win.

Kingscliff made much of the running but tired markedly in the latter stages, allowing stablemate Sir Rembrandt to take third place, a further five lengths away.

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It was the first big-race win for trainer Pipe who took over from his father Martin in May and he paid tribute to Our Vic, who won last year's Paddy Power Chase.

"People have questioned his stamina, but he's bred to get six miles and he proved it here," he said.

"He was always going well up the home straight, but as we know in the home straight here there's four fences and in soft ground it's a long way.

"Timmy gave him a fantastic ride and it's brilliant for the yard. It's great for me, great for David Johnson and great for everyone who has supported me.

He's always been a horse with a lot of talent and he's done everything well Jockey Timmy Murphy

"This win opens up a lot more options. He will be entered in the King George, but I have no idea where he will go. I need to go home and let this sink in.

"We won the big race at Wincanton last weekend - things didn't go so well at Martin Pipe day at Cheltenham, but they have come right here."

Our Vic's odds for the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day have been cut to 6-1 with William Hill while he is a 14-1 chance with the same firm for next year's Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Earlier, Murphy rode Redemption to a surprise victory over My Way de Solzen in the John Smith's Hurdle.

The 12-1 chance moved up to My Way de Solzen, the long-time leader and odds-on favourite, with three fences left.

He pulled clear and negotiated the final hurdle safely to claim a comfortable six-length success.

My Way de Solzen, winner of the World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, looked in need of the run and will improve.

Murphy also guided the Carl Llewellyn-trained Too Forward (11-2) to success in the Weatherbys Bank Handicap Chase earlier in the card.

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Charlie Hall Chase (Wetherby)
1. Our Vic (T J Murphy) 6-1
2. Neptune Collonges (S Thomas) 2-1 Fav
3. Sir Rembrandt (A Thornton) 10-1
10 ran

John Smith's Hurdle (Wetherby)
1. Redemption (T J Murphy) 12-1
2. My Way de Solzen (R Thornton) 4-9 Fav
3. Tees Components (D Elsworth) 17-2
7 ran

Ascot Gold Cup Handicap Chase
1. See You Sometime (W P Kavanagh) 14-1
2. Zabenz (R Johnson) 8-1
3. Sweet Diversion (L Heard) 8-1
11 ran