Quicker ground no worry for Crus

David Pipe is not concerned about the prospect of quicker ground for his World Hurdle hope Grands Crus following his scintillating display on Saturday.

The grey had impressed in handicaps at Cheltenham and at Haydock, but was taking a big step up in class for the Grade Two Cleeve Hurdle at Prestbury Park.

However, the result was exactly the same as he annihilated his rivals by 10 lengths and more and he is now second behind reigning champion Big Buck’s in the betting for the staying crown in March.

“All is good with him. He ate up last night and he seems fine this morning,” said Pipe.

“It’s every trainer’s and jockey’s dream to have a horse like him and that’s what we’re all in the job for.

“He’s still only a six-year-old and he’s lightly raced, so it’s very exciting.

“We went to Cheltenham full of hope, but you can’t expect a performance like that. He was going into Graded company for the first time, which is a lot different to running in handicaps, but he was extremely good.

“The ground in March will be what ever it’s going to be, but Cheltenham always do a good job watering.

“I think he is better on softer ground and he has a high knee action, but safe ground is all he really needs.

“The ground wasn’t that soft on Saturday and he certainly wasn’t too bad on it there.

“Let’s hope both he and Big Buck’s make it to Cheltenham in March and we can get our horse there in the same kind of form.

“If we finish second to Big Buck’s it will be a fantastic run and if we manage to beat him, it will be amazing.”