Crus looks set for RSA as owner knocks Gold bid

GRANDS CRUS is likely to head straight to Cheltenham with the RSA Chase his more likely goal in the wake of the novice chase he was due to contest on Saturday's abandoned Newbury card not being included in the rescheduled fixture on Friday.

Trainer David Pipe believes Saturday's Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot may come too close to the festival, where Grands Crus is favourite for the RSA and also hold a Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup entry.

Joint-owner Roger Stanley said: "David thinks it will be a little too close and wouldn't want him to have a harder race on better ground at this stage. He's happy with him and feels he doesn't need to put another race into him. It looks like he'll go straight to Cheltenham.

"The Gold Cup is probably a bit difficult when you've only had three chases but we're going to leave it late and decide. Let's have a look at how the Gold Cup settles down and who's in form and who's in the RSA. There's no rush to decide."