Grand Crus - Magnificent

Certainly a brilliant performance Ekbalco. I think the chink in Big Buck's armour is that he shapes like a very high class chaser who prefers little fences (in the form of hurdles). Grands Crus looks an out and out hurdler and I'm convinced he has the ability to give Big Buck's the biggest fright of his life. There is no doubt in my mind he can get him out of his comfort zone. Grands Crus is like lighting over the flights and he has that determined low head carriage you look for in a stayer as it increases the efficiency of their breathing. Let's hope they both get there fit and well as the World Hurdle was lit up yesterday.

The way he was sawing on the bit so far out reminded me of Dorans Pride who was one of the easiest winners of the stayers' hurdle you would ever see.

Not the best stayer of all time but he was extremly impressive yesterday. Whilst the race of the week has looked like being teh Champion Hurdle this really looks like one of the most exciting match races. Since Baracouda and Iris Gift.
I for one cant wait!!

There is a very interesting line of form between Big Bucks and Grand Crus through Fair Along.

BB beat Fair Along by 37 and 34 lengths respectively in their last 2 Cheltenham Festival meetings and by a very similar margin at Newbury.Fair Along is as tough and consistent as they come and therefore a useful yardstick to assess form.

On strict reading of yesterdays race - where GC beat FA by a very similar margin - you'd have to say GC was within 3-4 lbs of BB on the form book.

Now,the style of running of BB may negate some of the logic however in a 3 mile race I believe actual form reading to be preference to sectional or other timings as the style of the race can vary so much.

My reading of GC is that if he can travel as well as he did yesterday h could be away and gone IF BB hits one of those flat spots that have become a part of his make up.

Could be the race of the Festival imho!

Grands Crus looked unbelievably good yesterday. i was there and it was a breathtaking performance. Like a poster on here has already said if he isn't a champion he is doing a good job of looking like one! I think this horse will win the World Hurdle. I no thats only my opinion and I really respect Big Bucks and what he has done when I say this. The main reason for my opinion is based on how quick and accurate the horse jumps. If Big Bucks jumps sloppily this fella will punish him. My one reservation is his ability to handle spring ground like he has the winter ground. If he does it could be the end of Big Bucks magnificent unbeaten record. Fantastic for the Staying Hurdle division and racing anyway! Roll on the festival.

He was majestic, wasn't he?

I agree with the original poster about it being the most impressive staying performance of recent times. He was tanking throughout the entire race and beat some really good horses without even coming out of second gear. I would imagine he probably could have run another half-mile without blowing, too, the way he came up the hill.

For me it was one of those moments that just screamed champion. In that sense it reminded me of the way Denman destroyed everything he faced in the season when he won his Gold Cup; he just appeared to be in a bulldozing league of his own. Horses make fools of us all the time, but I honestly don't see Big Buck's living with this fellow. Besides, if they are worried about him, I'd have though Scu can track him before pouncing late as he looks to have more instant speed to me.

After yesterday i actually think that 3/1 is still too big.....but will be much the same on the day, BB'S huge reputation and the fear factor he instills in plenty will hold his price up....any lesser horse than BB and i think grand crus would now be fav.he pulled for so long and visibly looked full of running at the end.....BB hasn't raced against a horse that is still going forward to that extent at the end of his races....as to what did he beat.....i'd say ...pretty much the same level of horse that big bucks does.I know the ground is a bit of a concern but you do get the impression that connections are ultra confident they've got the real deal.

Interesting discussion chaps and it's flattering that many knowledgeable heads appear to share the same view as me.
He absolutely annialated a field of high 140/low 150 staying hurdlers yesterday and on that piece of form he looks unbeatable to me in the WH.
However,March is another day and the big issue for me is the ground - on Chelters good to firm I don't think he would run.The ground y'day was like cold porridge,very cold porridge - it will not be like that come March.
Nicholls post race comments were disrespectful and has, in a strange way, made me more pro-GC and I'm looking forward to him thumping BB.

It was visually very impressive but the horse has won 2 handicaps and a grade 2, BB has 2 world hurdles in the bag and will make Grand Crus look ordinary come March, not complaining with the better price now on BB tho

lol at best staying performance in memory, did you only start watching racing last week or something?

GI Mac, I think it's a bit like watching football - if there's player with blond hair or a shaved head, he'd better be decent because he'll be noticed by everyone throughout the match.  I've no doubt whatever that GC is a proper horse when there's cut in the ground and would not be at all surprised to see him beat BB (though I think Khyber Kim, if he runs, could come late and do both of them).

But when a short-priced favourite is also a grey and of a pretty striking build too, everyone's eye is drawn(much more easily than if he were bay or brown)to how he travels through a race and to his jumping - two of the factors consistently mentioned about yesterday.

Anyway, we can do with all the superstars we can get, so I hope he'd capable of striding out with the same purpose and rhythm on good ground.  Going by his action, I have a slight suspicion that he will always be at his best with cut, but we will see.

Will be dissapointed if this beast doesn't beat Big Buck's, he was just so impressive on Saturday, don't think Big Buck's will be able to handle him.

185+,183p their TFRs.

lets have evens the bucks then gents

evs now

Where does people's Big Buck's confidence come from?

I'm not financially invested in either Grand Crus or BB, but it's undeniable that Grand Crus put in a top drawer performance Saturday, which is backed up on the ratings and gives him, with expected improvement, a real crack at Big Buck's. He beat some really solid yardsticks on Saturday, the ability of which is very similar to that of the horse which Big Buck's has been turning over time and time again.

So have I missed something? I must admit I think the prices are about right, based mainly on the fact that BB has been there, done it, and is a proven unbeaten champion. But I for one do not think him unbeatable in the slightest, I think he's made hay out of a weak division and has never faced a horse of Grand Crus' ability.

Well if they repeat the tactics on Grands Crus the last twice he has ran at Cheltenham, when he has powered on down the hill I suspect they will definitely get Big Buck's off the bridle. The injection of pace he has shown at that stage of his races has been impressive, and I believe it will catch BB out if they repeat these tactics, although at the same time I do wonder whether that might ultimately play into the hands of BB on the long run from the second last to the last.

A cracking contest in store nevertheless.

mourad?? CG?

i personally will stick with BUCKS and no one but no one will talk me off him evs CHARRGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
but sensible for some to save on the grey but not me @ this moment in time