Grands Crus spring-heeled in Feltham

Report: Kempton, Monday

williamhill.com Feltham Novices' Chase (Grade 1) 3m 4yo+

AN ELECTRIC round of jumping from Grands Crus proved just far too much for his rivals as David Pipe's 6-5 favourite put in an exhibition that had shades of other top-class greys to have graced this track, One Man and Desert Orchid.

Jockey Tom Scudamore took it updown the back for the final time and his mount simply winged every fence to see off his two main rivals Silviniaco Conti and Bobs Worth, who were both closing at the line.

On coming back to the winner's enclosure, Scudamore said: "That was his best ever performance over fences and there is better to come."

Bookmakers immediately cut Grands Crus for the RSA Chase at the festival with Paddy Power going 2-1 from 7-2 and Boylesports and Hills going shorter at 7-4. Coral are 5-2.

The RSA is the likeliest destination for the winner in March, although in recent years this race has not been a terribly good trial for the Cheltenham Grade 1, which is very much a test of stamina. Connections also have the option of the Grade 2 2m4f Jewson Novices' Chase, for which he would be a very warm order, as well as the Arkle and even the Cheltenham Gold Cup, a race in which the winning trainer's father Martin ran some of his star novices in their firstseason over fences.

The winning trainer said afterwards: "He looked his best, but he hadn't looked bad before. In the last couple of days at home Gerry Supple, who rides him, has said he's been very keen and I said to Tom he could be a bit keen.

"He got there with ease. He jumped and travelled and once in front he idled a bit, but he'sentitled to do that.

"He'll probably have one more run before Cheltenham as it's a long time until now and then. I'll talk to the owners, but he'll likely have an entry in the Gold Cup - It would be silly not to, but there's plenty of time for him."

Three miles this may have been, but you'd have to say that Grands Crus would be a major contender for a race like the Arkle on this evidence. His jumping was superb and far too good for the rest of the field.

Having practically winged all the fences down the back, the six-year-old cruised into the straight with only the final three fences between himself and victory. So well had he jumped and travelled that he only really came off the bridle after two out, but although he looked to win easily, the second, Silviniacio Conti, and Bobs Worth were both closing at the line.

It was a first Grade 1 for Roger Stanley and Yvonne Reynolds' gelding and perhaps the first of a few.

The runner-up ran a cracker on his first try over 3m. His trainer Paul Nicholls said: "Ruby said that rode some race.

"Grands Crus is probably the best staying novice this season and he was very good. We are only five and will hopefully improve a bit in time, but I'm not sure we'll want to take Grands Crus on again and it's not a foregone conclusion that he will go to Cheltenham as we want to half look after him."