Pipe mulls over Crus campaign
The top-class staying hurdler made a brilliant start to his career over fences last term, winning at Cheltenham, Newbury and in the Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton.
He disappointed when a hot favourite for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but has pleased his trainer since returning from his summer break and a decision on his likely starting point is not far away.
The talented grey, who carries the colours of Roger Stanley and Yvonne Reynolds, is ante-post favourite for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham next month.
Pipe said: “He’s in good order and I’m pleased with where he is at the moment.
“I’m not sure yet where he’s going to start off. I’ll have a chat with the owners very shortly and we’ll go from there.
“There are a few options and the races he can run in are fairly obvious, including the Paddy Power and the Betfair Chase at Haydock.
“I need to discuss things with the owners before making a decision.”
Aiming to follow in Grands Crus’ hoofprints this term will be Dynaste, another with form at the highest level in staying hurdles who will embark on a career over fences in the near future.
“He’s in good order and he’ll be going novice chasing at some point,” said Pipe.
“If it keeps raining, he could be out before too long. He’s not far away as long as he continues to do things as he is at the moment.”
Meanwhile, Imperial Commander remains on course to make his return from injury in the Betfair Chase at Haydock after delighting connections since returning to work last month.
The 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup hero has been sidelined by a leg injury since being pulled up in the Prestbury Park showpiece in March of last year.
However, trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies welcomed him back to his Naunton yard a little under three weeks ago and the early signs are positive.
Speaking on www.imperial-horseracing.com, part-owner Ian Robinson said: “Without wishing to tempt fate we couldn’t be happier with the progress of Imperial Commander.
“Richard Bevis, his full-time companion and work rider, reports he is getting a really nice feel from him, and his first piece of work was everything we could have hoped for.
“All being well we are still on course for Haydock and the Betfair Chase.”
Gary Moore’s Fruity O’Rooney has the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November as his first major aim of the new National Hunt season.
The nine-year-old went down narrowly at the Cheltenham Festival in March when reeled in by Alfie Sherrin in the JLT Specialty Handicap Chase and ran with credit in the Scottish Grand National.
He finished fifth at Ayr but Moore is of the belief he failed to see out the trip, which makes a crack at the Grand National at Aintree next year unlikely.
“He’s going to run over two-mile-five at the first Cheltenham meeting later this month,” said Moore.
“We might aim him at the Hennessy in the first half of the season, that would seem a likely target.
