Pipe may have Grands designs on Gold Cup

DAVID PIPE is not ruling out a potential Cheltenham Gold Cup bid with Grands Crus after the infinitely promising grey made it three wins from as many starts over fences in the Williamhill.com Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton.

Having found only Big Buck’s too strong in the staying hurdle division last season – and with little prospect of turning the tables this time around — connections made the wise decision of switching to the bigger obstacles.

Victories at Cheltenham and Newbury suggested Grands Crus was a natural at the fencing game, but this contest promised a more serious test of his credentials, with Grade One-winning hurdler Bobs Worth and the talented Silviniaco Conti in opposition.