Under The Spotlight: Episode 8: Grands Crus So, it is one week until Cheltenham and I wanted to round the series off with a high profile horse who has made a big impression, and what better way to end than with the open-ended debate around the very exciting novice chaser- Grands Crus. Having almost looked the winner in the World Hurdle when travelling stylishly with a flight to go (how foolish to think Big Bucks would not find more!), there was obviously a lot of hype surrounding the grey as he embarked on a novice chasing career. He is very, very good on soft ground and has a lot of natural speed for a 3m horse. He has impressed (touch wood) with his jumping so far, looking very quick over his fences, although his one mistake came on debut at Cheltenham which might raise a little bit of concern. He dominated two very talented novices in the shape of Bob’s Worth and Silviniano Conti, but on a flat track at Kempton, it probably suited his speed. The debate therefore revolves around two things: a) his ability to stay, and b) the depth to his form at the moment. The question over him staying is mainly because of his raw speed, but this fella will go on soft and therefore I can’t see staying a problem unless they don’t settle him and let him go charging off in front too early. As for his form, Boston Bob is smart but his jumping costs him a lot of ground, and he was beaten well by Invictus at Ascot, whom I know one or two people a very, very quietly confident about in the RSA. Silviniano Conti has since defected, possibly even missing the festival it seems, after a poor finish at Ascot, despite looking to hold every chance 3 out. The RSA has seen the market shorten up for Bobs Worth, Invictus, Sir Des Champs, and First Lieutenant, whilst no one can rule out Join Together who has stamina to burn, if he runs. There is considerably more depth to the race than people sometimes assume, especially as these or 3 or 4 really improving chasers with engines to stay 3m. If Grands Crus won impressively, you would have to rate his season as one of the best across the NH board this year. The obvious question then of course, especially with the stamina debate up in the air, is Gold Cup or RSA? Personally I think anyone who thinks the RSA is a cakewalk ought to be wary of improving novices, whereas people who write him off for the Gold Cup ought to truly consider whether this horse wont stay, especially as he goes so well on soft ground. For me personally, I think he should take his chance in the Gold Cup. He has the sort of style to sit off the prominent racers and watch them dictate the pace from the back, because he has the engine and natural speed to make the headway at the right times. His jumping has been good at speed, and I think this proper pace will suit him better than a sometimes muddling RSA novice Grade One. It seems that if Kauto runs, Grands Crus might not take his chance, but actually I think Kauto could be the right sort of horse to give Grands Crus a toe into the race, especially with the rhythmical tempo from the King and the way he steps it up a notch down the back. He might not be good enough to win, but I should think if he is there 3 out, Grands Crus would have the engine to seriously ask questions of this Gold Cup field. I think he’d be just the sort of addition the Gold Cup needs, he’d open it up a little bit and really shake up the market, meaning there would be 3 headline horses in the field and not to mention some very talented dangers at bigger prices. He has been excellent so far and I think the break after Kempton will have done him the world of good. He burnt out in France at the end of last season and I like the idea of this horse being fresh and ready at Cheltenham, whichever race he engages in. I’ve taken 14/1 for the Gold Cup, and I just think he will go very close if connections realise that this might be a very good Gold Cup opportunity go close. Realistically though, I think he might end up in the RSA and that will not be as easy as made out, though racing needs superstars and good luck to him, he is a beautiful animal and I love him, even though I might not necessarily back him in an RSA! 8 epsiodes, hundreds of opinions, and 6 months of antepost Cheltenham dreams. Thank you very, very much for all of your time, effort, and kind comments. Genuinely been a pleasure. Get stuck into this, and I’ll return with our very own 606 preview night from the regular posters on the forum. Best of luck at the festival, and may I wish all horses and riders a safe race. -Top
Superb once more Topclass. Have really enjoyed all your articles for under the spotlight and hopefully you will consider doing it for some flat horses if you get the time/enjoy it In regards to this particular episode I would like too see Grand Crus run in the RSA this season as there really isn't any rush. I would also like Tom Scudamore to ride him closer to the pace before he ever runs in a gold cup. I don't think he would get away with settling right out the back in a Gold Cup and just cutting through the field, one mistake could be very costly under hold up tactics in such a strongly run race.
Firstly, I hope they go to the RSA, he is a novice and he hasn't really been up against anything of Gold Cup quality, I wouldn't like to be with him in the Gold Cup as a novice against Long Run et al. That said, I really think the RSA is a tough old race and I don't think he would be my choice of a winner in that race either. He to me is flattered by his hurdle form and his chasing form whilst being unblemished isn't massively impressive as I don't really rate Silviano Conti and Sonovic isn't a horse I like this season (remaining a novice for another year by the look of it). I think he has the potential to be a Gold Cup horse of the future, and I would hate to see him bottomed in the way Cooldine and many others have in their novice races at the festival. I can understand Pipe's issues, perhaps he should have gone for the easy route and faced up to Peddler's Cross in the Jewson
Nice write up TopClass. I've been pleasantly surprised how well Grands Crus as taken to jumping as I know plenty on here were sceptical of his ability to jump fences but he's taken to it like the proverbial duck to water. I agree his form perhaps doesn't look as 'bombproof' as many of the other festival shorties and I do think the bookies will be looking to take him on next week. But which day will that be Beefy I hear you say? Well you heard it here first...that race WILL be the Gold Cup! So... whats the difference? Well the Gold Cup is 2 furlongs longer which perhaps people do forget. It will make a difference to a horse who stamina may be stretched like an elastic band in getting the Gold Cup trip, however I think Grands Crus won't lack for stamina, he should see the trip out ok. Can he beat Long Run? He's certainly got more toe that Henderson's dour stayer of that there can be very little doubt. He's a better jumper than old Long Run too. The only thing that may stop him is inexperience but I think he'll be able to sit in the box seat if Scudamore can settle him and he'll be able to challenge Long Run and hopefully King Kauto up the hill...I wouldn't bet against him doing it
He is touching single figures on Betfair at the moment and now 4s for the RSA. Interesting to see what happens either way.
I don't like him for anything at the festival. Just my opinion. I'm not convinced by his hurdle form on a line through the likes of Cross Kennon.His chase form isn't cast iron either and I also have him down as a non stayer. He has been easily brushed aside in his two attempts beyond 3m. He doesn't represent value for me at his price,whatever race he attempts. Does indeed look a Jewson type..the new race of the festival!
I will be taking him on at what ever race he takes in the festival! Like you Dex I agree with your views! and he doesnt represent value is way to short for the RSA and he wont get near Long Run in the GC!
Wooley ...you must be the only one! GC has good Cheltenham form but Liverpool looks ideal for him imo for this year. Long Run my banker of the week Wooley .
Funny David Pipe was meant to be on twitter to doing a Q&A for the racing post but had to cancel his wife went in to labour
Mine too mate, have done quite a big treble- Long Run, Hurricane (I have conceded the fact binocular wont win- I do have him 10/1 e.w tho) and Big Bucks as well singles and doubles
I wasn't convinced Grands Crus would make the grade as a chaser because he always struck me as a bit guessy at his hurdles. Although I still have that doubt it is far less pronounced than it initially was. He has generally looked very proficient at his fences (bar the one mistake at Cheltenham, which is just what I thought he might do). If he were mine he would be running in the RSA, no doubt about it. We have seen time and time again how hard the step up from novice to Grade 1 company can be. Beating the likes of Bobs Worth and Silviniaco Conti (who I rate) is a far cry from facing the likes of Kauto Star and Long Run. For a horse with only 3 chase runs under his belt, and no racecourse appearances since Boxing Day, I think the RSA is by far the best choice for the horse. That is not to say that he will win the RSA, or that he couldn't go well in the Gold Cup. I think he would be a deserving short priced favourite in the RSA, much more so than Time For Rupert last season anyway. He is obviously not unbeatable but I think his biggest danger is himself. If he settles well then I struggle to see him beaten with a clean round of jumping. The worry would be if he was very keen but that would seem unlikely given that he appears more settled this year. The Gold Cup is a whole different ball game altogether. I could easily see him running a massive race but I could also easily see him struggling. Jumping at that relentless pace will be a big ask for a novice. I know his Feltham time was faster than the King George but he was able to dominate in that race and Tom Scudamore could do exactly as he wanted. In the more competitive Gold Cup he will not be afforded that luxury. He could go well, there can be no doubt about that, but for a horse of his experience, I think it is a big ask. For that reason I would run him in the RSA.
Grands Grus reached 4/1 at one point on betfair and is still over 3/1 now. I know it doesn't always take a lot of money on betfair to change a price, but for such a high profile horse, i wonder if they are leaning toward the gold cup now. And betfair was right about simonsig and peddlers cross recently.
Lovely horse who definitely has a "wow" factor - maybe because he is a flashy grey? He has always had a really good engine but the way he has taken to the bigger obstacles has been very impressive. His Feltham victory was impressive, particularly the way he pulled himself to the front off a strong early pace when they entered the back straight for the second time. Should he go for the Gold Cup? My honest answer has to be "not this year". For a novice chaser to step up to Gold Cup company is a huge ask in any season, but more so when you have 2 horses of the calibre of Long Run and Kauto Star in the field, both of whom are both 180 horses. RSA this season, Gold Cup next season would be the way I'd go. Regarding the RSA this season, it is looking like a decent renewal and is by no means a penalty kick for Grands Crus. My money is down on Invictus who has been just as impressive as the Pipe horse in his 3 victories and looks as natural a jumper as I can remember seeing. Forget his run in the Dipper as he lost a shoe and came back very sore.
As I’ve said for ages if they go for the RSA Chase with Grands Cru then I’ll eat my proverbial hat. It’s undoubtedly the right race for him and if he was with either Mr Henderson or Mr Nicholls then that’s the heat he’d undoubtedly go for but its because he’s with the Pipe’s that I’m convinced he’ll head for the CGC. They have a history of always wanting things sooner rather than later with horses and going for the short-term objective rather than adopting a long-term plan. I think therefore he’ll head for the CGC and in all honesty can’t see him placing in it (with or without Kauto Star running).
Great write up. Each to their own I guess, I wouldn't normally advocate any novice enter a championship race but I still hold the view that this is a poor Gold Cup and Grand Crus might never have a better chance in it, and which will be the tougher race RSA or Gold Cup ? Sounds a ridiculous comment but will Weird Al and Midnight Chase be tougher opposition than Bobs Worth and Invictis ? He jumps OK and has a great record round Cheltenham, the extra 2.5f isn't guaranteed to suit but despite his novice status he has plenty of racing experience. Of course the Gloria Victis scenario is still clear in the memory but I don't think they can let that cloud their judgement - the 2013 renewal with Captain Chris, Weapons Amnesty, Long Run, Burton Port, 2012 RSA winner/placed horses could easily be a tougher race than the 2012 version....
Toppy: Excellent again lad, you write very well indeed Like the horse but believe they are taking the wrong option BUT fully understand why they have! The RSA is a beast of a race and why empty the horse (ala Cooldine and more) when the Gold Cup is there for the taking! For me I don't think he will win either, the RSA will be won by an Irish horse this year as Bobs Worth has not had an ideal preparation and despite loving Cheltenham I think he will not be 100%! Looks like Ruby will be aboard Sir des Champs so that will probably be the Irish banker now, rather messing up my First Lieutenant bet The Gold Cup though looks winable, Long Run is not jumping with the same fluidity, Kauto cannot do it despite the whole country (near enough) cheering him home and the main challenge will come from Weird Al ;-) That's why i think they have chosen this option, just hope and prey the horse comes back safe and sound!!
If anybody seriously believes that the Gold Cup is an 'easier' race on horses than the RSA then I am absolutely astonished. It isn't.
