Top staying hurdler Grands Crus retired

Grands Crus, one of the best staying hurdlers and novice chasers of his generation, has been retired.

The nine-year-old grey, trained by David Pipe, looked destined for the top when he won the Feltham Chase at Kempton in December 2011, but several training problems prevented him from fulfilling his potential.

As a staying hurdler only Big Buck’s was his superior and he ran Paul Nicholls’ star to a length and three-quarters in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival. He is now enjoying a new career in the equestrian world.