Pipe in Crus control for Cheltenham

David Pipe reports Grands Crus’ preparation to be going according to plan ahead of the grey’s bid to wrest the Ladbrokes World Hurdle from Big Buck’s.

Grands Crus is 9-4 second-favourite for the three-mile showpiece on day three of the Cheltenham Festival (March 17) behind the Paul Nicholls-trained title-holder, who is seeking to lift the race for the third year running and stretch his winning sequence over the smaller obstacles to 11.

Grands Crus is expected to provide the main opposition after being unbeaten himself this season in three races.

After winning handicaps at Cheltenham and Haydock in the space of a week in November, the six-year-old leapt to prominence in the ante-post markets with a 10-length victory in the Cleeve Hurdle back at Cheltenham in January.

“He’s fine. We’re keeping him ticking over until Cheltenham,” said the trainer. “He’s done plenty of work since his last race and he’ll do plenty more between now and Cheltenham.”