Emerging steeplechase star Grands Crus fended off Sonofvic to record his second win from as many starts over fences at Newbury on Thursday.
David Pipe’s top-class staying hurdler made the perfect start to his new career at Cheltenham last month and was the 2-7 favourite to follow up in the Grade Two race.
Tom Scudamore anchored his mount at the rear of the four-runner field for much of the three-mile (4800m) journey and jumped with accuracy throughout, despite Viking Blond having ensured a strong gallop for the second circuit.
Grands Crus produced a superb leap at the final fence before the turn for home to take closer order but the Paul Nicholls-trained Sonofvic followed him into the straight.
But Grands Crus always looked to have his rival’s measure and stayed on strongly after the last to score by two lengths.
“His jumping was breathtaking and this was another step up the ladder,” Scudamore said.
“He just gives you the feeling of complete class.”
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