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The more I look at the World Hurdle market the more Grands Cru stands out as an outstanding bet for the race at 22s on betfair.
An impressive Cleeve Hurdle winner and 2nd place behind Big Bucks in the 2011 World Hurdle surely gives him a massive chance of lifting the stayers crown.
His poor run in the Argento has to be excused, and yes, he is also still in the Ryan Air, but now the Pipes have given up on the Gold Cup the World Hurdle would be the more prestigious and winnable option for Grands Cru, especially when you consider how strong the Ryan Air will be this year.
I think going back hurdling will also take the strain off his breathing and better ground is going to help him further.
All things considered 22s is a great price. Add it to your antepost portfolios!!!
What do you think?
An impressive Cleeve Hurdle winner and 2nd place behind Big Bucks in the 2011 World Hurdle surely gives him a massive chance of lifting the stayers crown.
His poor run in the Argento has to be excused, and yes, he is also still in the Ryan Air, but now the Pipes have given up on the Gold Cup the World Hurdle would be the more prestigious and winnable option for Grands Cru, especially when you consider how strong the Ryan Air will be this year.
I think going back hurdling will also take the strain off his breathing and better ground is going to help him further.
All things considered 22s is a great price. Add it to your antepost portfolios!!!
What do you think?
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Today is David Pipe's press day so watch for developments.
I can see where you're coming from Hanbury but I would just worry that the wind op, king george and this ulcer problem won't have left the horse able to run to his best....and he would have to run to his best imo to win a World Hurdle.
His best rating over hurdles is 169 I think, which would put him right there with OW and RDS but I am just not sure he could even get within 10 lbs of that at the moment.
His best rating over hurdles is 169 I think, which would put him right there with OW and RDS but I am just not sure he could even get within 10 lbs of that at the moment.
I think it's a real shame they didn't give Thousand Stars another crack at this. Must have had at least a good a chance as Oscar Whisky has and is now a dual French champion hurdle winner whilst OW has yet to win at the distance.
Pipe said at the GN Weights lunch that the horse may even skip Chelters. That could be bull but equally it may be the case given how out of form the beast is.
he has run like a non stayer this season and in the rsa chase last year so maybe dropping in trip to the ryanair or even champion chase might help
Thanks for your opinions guys. I know his wellbeing is the big issue, but he has been having a variety of treatments which should bring him back. He still finished third in the King George this season,so the ability is still there. I just feel the World Hurdle is his best chance, especially if we get normal Cheltenham ground. This would reduce Reve de Sivolas chances and Oscars chances. All grands Crus best form is on better ground and he might be more ground dependant than we all thought. Heavy ground also puts more strain on his breathing.
I do understand people reluctance to see him as a contender, but he has the form in the book, unlike most in the race.
I do understand people reluctance to see him as a contender, but he has the form in the book, unlike most in the race.
Actually i am going to backtrack a tad on my earlier post.
I CAN see the logic in giving him a go back over hurdles with the possibility of better ground,and the VC offer of nrfb at 20/1 might well appeal to some i would think.
I CAN see the logic in giving him a go back over hurdles with the possibility of better ground,and the VC offer of nrfb at 20/1 might well appeal to some i would think.
He finished 2nd in one of the weaker World Hurdles imo. Forget how close he was to Big Bucks as he only ever does enough. Look how close Mourad and Cross Kennon were compared to last year.
In terms of those who could return to their old form I would rather back Peddlers Cross at 14/1. Grands Crus often showed his best form in the winter before it tailed off in the spring and he has underperformed 3 times this season so although i see the angle, not for me. I would put him away for the season and target the King George with a proper preparation
David Pipe shows off Grands Crus to the press this morning but his participation at Cheltenham remains up in the air.
Two years ago Grands Crus looked a mighty prospect when finishing just under two lengths away from Big Buck's in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle but there have been more than a fair share of let-downs ever since.
While he made a bright start over fences last season, he was a well-beaten fourth behind Bobs Worth in the RSA and there have been two further setbacks at Cheltenham this season when he was pulled up in both the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Argento Chase.
"I don't know if he runs," said Pipe as he showed the eight-year-old off at his stables in a foggy Nicholashayne, Somerset, on Tuesday.
"He has the two entries at Cheltenham, the World Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase. He is on treatment for ulcers, but he cantered this morning and is just having an easy time.
"It has been a frustrating season. He was disappointing in the Paddy Power, then we cauterised his palate and he ran a cracking race in the King George.
"He had a hard race that day, and perhaps (in the Argento) it was a combination of factors, the ground, the ulcers, and our blood man thought he might be in the early stages of coming down with something. All I can tell you is he's the same horse on the gallops."
Looking at the next three weeks before the meeting starts, Pipe said: "He will probably go for a racecourse gallop somewhere and that will be what makes our decision.
"He might not run again this season, he might go to Cheltenham, he might go to Aintree, he might go to Punchestown. We're doing everything we can to get him back on track."
While he made a bright start over fences last season, he was a well-beaten fourth behind Bobs Worth in the RSA and there have been two further setbacks at Cheltenham this season when he was pulled up in both the Paddy Power Gold Cup and the Argento Chase.
"I don't know if he runs," said Pipe as he showed the eight-year-old off at his stables in a foggy Nicholashayne, Somerset, on Tuesday.
"He has the two entries at Cheltenham, the World Hurdle and the Ryanair Chase. He is on treatment for ulcers, but he cantered this morning and is just having an easy time.
"It has been a frustrating season. He was disappointing in the Paddy Power, then we cauterised his palate and he ran a cracking race in the King George.
"He had a hard race that day, and perhaps (in the Argento) it was a combination of factors, the ground, the ulcers, and our blood man thought he might be in the early stages of coming down with something. All I can tell you is he's the same horse on the gallops."
Looking at the next three weeks before the meeting starts, Pipe said: "He will probably go for a racecourse gallop somewhere and that will be what makes our decision.
"He might not run again this season, he might go to Cheltenham, he might go to Aintree, he might go to Punchestown. We're doing everything we can to get him back on track."
hi guys. Thanks for your opinions. Just so you know I logged on under Anglo13, I have two accounts(see comment above).
Not for me. The horse doesn't look strong or assured, so i can't see him winning any race.
Never helps when connections don't really appear to have a real handle on the problem...him and peddlers I'd be treating with the same note of caution.
After Pipes comments today it will be interesting to see if he can get him back for the festival, the 20/1 nrnb is definitely the right bet.
That bit about hurdles taking the strain off his breathing is codswallop.
"He might not run again this season, he might go to Cheltenham, he might go to Aintree, he might go to Punchestown.
At least that helped though.
At least that helped though.
yes most helpful
has he been taking lessons from W.P Mullins?
has he been taking lessons from W.P Mullins?
"He might not run again this season, he might go to Cheltenham, he might go to Aintree, he might go to Punchestown.
Sick of reading nonsense about this horse.Just let it go
^agree - there's something wrong with the horse and/or he's 'gone'.
They don't know what it is and they're just making it up as they go along.
They don't know what it is and they're just making it up as they go along.
He is on treatment for ulcers,
yeh, me too, ever since I stuck the fooker in me TTF.
yeh, me too, ever since I stuck the fooker in me TTF.
Hey Duffy,lol, brilliant comment. he is in some of my tote ten to follow too. But my bad lines!!! really want Oscar Whisky to win for the sake of my best lines for the £250k!!
ulcers got potential to be the new breathing problem - Riverside Theatre's got 'em too.
Its not like they have a very stressfull life either! Treated like Kings!! lol
I reckon the ulcers started around the time last year he read in the post that they were thinking of running him in the last years GC.
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