Grands Crus is ready for another step up in class

His Grade Two victory at Newbury yesterday over three miles, seeing off the dogged challenge of the respected Sonofvic who was in receipt of 7lb, was more impressive than the partnership’s winning debut over fences at Cheltenham earlier this month.

Grands Crus, beaten twice by the record-breaking long distance hurdler Big Buck’s at Cheltenham and Aintree, settled for Scudamore – another sign of the six-year-old’s growing maturity.

He jumped with ominous ease, hitting the front four out and the only hint of an error came at the final fence when Scudamore took the ‘safety first’ option – a decision that enabled the Paul Nicholls-trained Sonofvic to close to a creditable two lengths at the winning post.

That it was standing room only in betting shops in Leeds, and elsewhere, is a measure of the horse’s potential and the intrigue surrounding the Desert Orchid-like grey – even though the measly 2-7 odds yielded a minimum return.

The three-mile Feltham Novices Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, won in 2009 by future Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run, could be the horse’s next target. It would be another step up in class – Mr Moonshine, from Sue Smith’s in-form Bingley stable, is being touted as a possible rival.

“He would never have settled as well as he did (yesterday) a year ago and he was able to drop back and get a lead, even after he jumped up to the front,” said a relieved Scudamore once he had time to reflect on the race.

“His jumping was breathtaking and this was another step up the ladder. He just gives you the feeling of complete class. That was probably a good performance by two very solid horses. He thrives on his jumping and he just enjoys life.”

Winning trainer David Pipe’s assistant Gerry Supple said: “I’m very relieved and, for me, that was more impressive than Cheltenham because of the way he jumped and settled. I believe the Feltham has been mentioned, but it’s one race at a time.”

As for next year’s Cheltenham Festival, Scudamore appeared to rule out an audacious bid at the Gold Cup. “There are loads of plans. He’s got enough speed to drop to two-and-a-half miles, but he does stay three,” he added.”

Andrew Tinkler faces a spell on the sidelines after breaking a bone in a hand at Newbury. Tinkler took a fall from Kingsmere at the first flight of the CSP Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

Today, Colin Tizzard’s novice chaser Cue Card aims to get his career back on track in the Novices’ Chase at Newbury. He parted company with the trainer’s son Joe when Grands Crus made his winning steeplechase debut at Cheltenham.

Grand National-winning jockey Jason Maguire will ride Donald McCain’s Peddlers Cross over fences at Bangor tomorrow. He will then fly to Newcastle where the durable Overturn, victorious at Ascot last weekend, takes on 2010 Champion Hurdle hero Binocular in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.