Pipe pleased as Grands Crus shows steel

TWO lengths was the winning distance, but connections of Grands Crus were in no doubt David Pipe’s grey had made a far greater margin of progress in the GPG Novices’ Chase at Newbury yesterday.

At the end of the season, the records could prove that conceding 7lb to Sonofvic was no mean feat as Tom Scudamore pushed out Grands Crus ahead of Paul Nicholls’ dark horse.

Grands Crus was able to keep the 2-7 favourite restrained behind Viking Blond, despite his jumping being so agile that he threatened to take himself into the lead prematurely. Instead, he could delay his challenge to the home straight but was still unable to shake off Sonofvic until the run-in, with his opponent looking an exciting prospect on his first start over fences.