Scudamore: No rush in Grands Crus decision

A DECISION on the participation of Grands Crus in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup in March will not be rushed, according to the seven-year-old's rider Tom Scudamore.

The exciting grey is favourite for the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but could step out of novice company for the Gold Cup, which heis 9-1 for with Coral.

He could have taken on seasoned chasers in Saturday's Argento Chase at Cheltenham, but trainer David Pipe opted to miss that contest.

"David just felt he didn't want to have too hard a race with the festival in mind," Scudamore said on Saturday morning.

"Today's race is very competitive. Bar Kauto Star and Long Run it's a repeat of what will be the Gold Cup in March. Grands Crus
will be given more entries and I think David's talking about a novice chase at Newbury in two weeks.

"There's no getting away from it - it's a top-class field and it's great the race has attracted so many good horses, but we just felt this wasn't the best option. There are plenty more options coming up."

Scudamore, who has partnered Grands Crus in 12 of his 14 starts, added: "He's a great horse to be associated with and he's very good. The way he's taken to fences he's been a natural from day one. He's very exciting and I've never ridden a horse that can get from one side of a fence to the other as quickly and nimbly and effectively as he can."

Victory in the Grade 1 Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton last month stretched Grands Crus's unbeaten run over fences to three and Scudamorethinks the son of Dom Alco has sufficient experience for a Gold Cup bid, but stressed there would be plenty of discussion - which will involve Pipe's father Martin - before a final decision is made.

"He's had plenty of experience," said Scudamore, speaking on The Morning Line. "That was the whole point of getting him ready with three runs. He's in very good form and has had plenty of practice at home.

"We'll sit down and go through things - the pros and cons - and weigh up each race. David likes to keep his options open and it's not about what's best for us or having a nice day out it's about what's best for the horse. With a horse like Grands Crus you just want to do right by him.

"He's the most exciting horse we've had in the yard since I've been there and he's a pleasure to be involved with."

Owned by Roger Stanley and Yvonne Reynolds, Grands Crus finished second to the mighty Big Buck's in the World Hurdle at last season's festival.