Crus control at Newbury

Grands Crus: Leads Sonovic at Newbury and Feltham Chase could be next

Grands Crus was a workmanlike winner of the GPG Novices' Chase at Newbury.

David Pipe's charge was maintaining his unbeaten record over fences and produced a near faultless round of jumping.

So did market rival Sonofvic who was receiving seven pounds from the winner and looked a potential threat for much of the home straight.

However Tom Scudamore aboard the winner always had matters in hand and Grands Crus held a two lengths advantage at the line.

Sky Bet reacted by leaving the winner unchanged at 4-1 for the RSA Chase at Cheltenham and introduced the runner-up at 10-1 for the same race.

Scudamore said: "That was probably a good performance by two very solid horses.

"He's very tough and has got a hard constitution. He thrives on his jumping and he just enjoys life.

"He would never have settled as well as he did today a year ago and he was able to drop back and get a lead, even after he jumped up to the front.

"His jumping was breathtaking and this was another step up the ladder. He just gives you the feeling of complete class.

"There are loads of plans. He's got enough speed to drop to two and a half miles, but he does stay three.

"David will make the right decision. I imagine it will be between the Jewson and the RSA at Cheltenham, but there's a long way to go yet."

Pipe's assistant, Gerry Supple, said: "I'm very relieved and, for me, that was more impressive than Cheltenham because of the way he jumped and settled.

"I believe the Feltham (Kempton, December 26) has been mentioned, but it's one race at a time and we'll just hope he's OK tomorrow."

Jockey Daryl Jacob said of runner-up Sonofvic: "He is still a bit novicey but is a very nice horse.

"My lad hasn't had a hard race and hopefully he is an exciting horse for the future."