Sire De Grugy keen and strong, says delighted Gary Moore
The 10-year-old was a six-length winner of the Grade One in 2014 but struggled to match those achievements last term, finishing only fourth in the defence of his title.
He recaptured his best form with victory in the Tingle Creek Chase earlier this season and was only just beaten by a rejuvenated Sprinter Sacre at Kempton over the Christmas period.
Sire De Grugy then disappointed at Ascot, but Moore believes his charge may have been feeling the effects of that Kempton race when beaten five lengths by Un De Sceaux, prompting him to give his stable star a bit of a break.
He told his Betway blog: “Sire De Grugy galloped [on Tuesday morning] and I was delighted by what I saw as he worked very well.
“He’s very keen and very strong, exactly the way I want him to be. In fact, he’s tanking now and moving as well as he’s ever done.
“The plan from here will be normal exercise until Saturday and then we’ll gallop him again.
“He’s exactly where I want him to be two weeks away from the Betway Champion Chase at the Festival.”
Moore has had ill-fortune in recent weeks with Ar Mad and Traffic Fluide sidelined by injury, while Violet Dancer had to be put down after suffering complications from surgery on a fractured leg.
Meanwhile, Nicky Henderson was left impressed by Altior and Vaniteux after they stepped up their preparations for the Cheltenham Festival with a racecourse gallop at Kempton.
The pair were part of a 13-strong Seven Barrows team that exercised on the all-weather circuit at the Sunbury course.
However, it was Sky Bet Supreme second-favourite Altior and leading Racing Post Arkle contender Vaniteux that especially satisfied Henderson. Working alongside Theinval and Laurium, Altior came through almost effortlessly in the hands of Nico de Boinville to pass both of his stablemates inside the final furlong of the two-mile gallop.
Vaniteux, also partnered by De Boinville, galloped with Josses Hill, Buveur D’Air and Lough Kent and finished off his piece of work powerfully and in control.
“These aren’t trials by a very long way, they are just here having a nice time,” said Henderson.
“Altior is going very well and he was very sharp.
“That’s really all he needs to do now, and that is the same with all of them.
“With this out of the way they can now cruise through to a fortnight’s time.
Henderson said there is little to choose between his Ryanair World Hurdle entrants Whisper and Bobs Worth after the pair worked with Broxbourne in the final group.
He said: “That looked good from Whisper and Bobs Worth. Whisper, I am very happy with where he is at.
The last three or four weeks they have both been in excellent form.
There wouldn’t be much between them. Whisper has the younger legs but both go there in good shape.”
Also exercising were Bloody Mary, Polly Peachum and Consul De Thaix.
