Pipe salutes classy Crus

David Pipe feels Grands Crus has “added some spice” to the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The six-year-old grey has thrown down the gauntlet to the hat-trick-seeking Big Buck’s after claiming three wins on the bounce.

His most recent success yielded a ruthless destruction of 13 rivals in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham – his second victory this season at Prestbury Park.

Pipe now feels Grands Crus is ready to step up to the plate in Grade One company on March 17.

“We knew Grands Crus was going to win at Cheltenham in November and go on to win at Haydock a week later,” the Pond House handler told the Daily Mail.

“Horses like Grands Crus don’t come around very often. It’s like he gets tunnel vision on the track.

“We may tow Big Buck’s to the last hurdle, or all the way to the line.

“It’s certainly added some spice to the race.

“He is potentially the most exciting horse I’ve taken to Cheltenham.”