Argento Chase News: Grands Crus to swerve Trials day

The Cheltenham Festival / Timeform / 26 January 2012 /

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Grands Crus will not run in the Argento Chase.

"The horse is absolutely fine, though, we just decided not to run..."

Unbeaten novice chaser Grands Crus will miss Saturday's Argento Chase at Cheltenham after connections decided to sidestep the contest...

The seven-year-old grey, rated 158p by Timeform, impressed when winning the Feltham Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, and trainer David Pipe had been mulling a step up to challenge more experienced rivals.

However, Grands Crus will now not line up in the Cheltenham event, for which he was the ante-post favourite.

Pipe told Press Association Sport: "He does not run on Saturday.

"We've decided we don't want to give him a hard race with Cheltenham (Festival) just around the corner in March."

Grands Crus proved second best only to Big Buck's in the staying hurdle ranks last term, and has made quite an impression since switching to fences.

A 10-length winner on his debut at Cheltenham, he then claimed a Newbury Grade Two before going on to success at Kempton.

Pipe is now considering a Festival prep run at Newbury on February 11, although he will not be taking on Long Run in the Betfair Denman Chase.

He said: "He could run at Newbury on February 11, Betfair Trophy day, in a three-mile novice chase, not in the Denman.

"The horse is absolutely fine, though, we just decided not to run."

Pipe has previously stated the Gold Cup entry is a genuine option, but connections are in no hurry to commit to either event.

He later added on his website, www.davidpipe.com: "A decision on which race he will take in at the Cheltenham Festival is still to be decided and will not be made until much nearer the time."

Grands Crus can currently be backed at [9.8] for the Gold Cup and [4.2] for the RSA.

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