Pipe: RSA right race for Crus

GRANDS CRUS will contest tomorrow's RSA Chase at the Festival rather than tackle Friday's Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Trainer David Pipe had been deliberating between the two options for his unbeaten novice, who was last seen when landing the Grade One Feltham Chase at Kempton over the Christmas period.

Connections had been tempted by the Gold Cup, but Pipe confirmed he will stick to the novice route for now.

Pipe felt it was the right decision for the horse after discussing it with the owners.

"We had a chat with the owners and the defining thing is you have to do what is right for the horse and, in our opinion, at this stage of his career the RSA is the right race for him," he said.

individual

"It's what we thought for him as an individual. I'm sure he could cope with the Gold Cup, but hopefully we might be going there next year.

"You're always going into unknown territory, but Tom Scudamore was confident of him getting the Gold Cup trip.

"It's a decision we've made for the horse and the best for him.

"He's in good form, he's had good preparation and we wish the race was today.

"Unfortunately, Grands Crus and Tom parted company schooling the other day, but all was OK afterwards.

"Tom schooled him on Sunday and he jumped well. You never want these things to happen but they do and he was fine afterwards."