David Pipe feels Grands Crus “upped the ante” when winning the Grade One Feltham Novices’ Chase in fine style on Boxing Day.
The bold-jumping grey defeated all bar Big Buck’s over hurdles last season and is now unbeaten in three races over fences.
He recorded a time three seconds quicker than Kauto Star over the same course and distance in the King George.
“He hadn’t done anything wrong in his two previous novice chases but he upped the ante and was very impressive,” Pipe said.
“He’d woken up over the last couple of days on the gallops, he was a lot keener and he was a bit keener in the race.
“He jumped his way into the race and won the race with a lot of authority.
“I think he idled a little bit in front but he probably got there soon enough.
“It doesn’t really matter if you take it up early or late with him, you just try and get him settled for the first half of the race.
“He’ll probably have one more run before Cheltenham. He’ll be entered in a few races and we’ll see.
“We’ll discuss it with his owners but I would have thought he’d have an entry in the Gold Cup, obviously the RSA and maybe the Jewson as well.
“A lot can happen between now and then but we’ve got to concentrate on keeping him in one piece.
“It’s a long time until March but we’re in a great position at the present moment,” Pipe told At The Races.
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