Grands Crus Looking To Confirm Gold Cup Credential in Argento Chase

There has been little movement in the Cheltenham Gold Cup market since the King George Vl Chase over Christmas but that should all change with the running of the Grade Two, Argento Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.

Currently, defending champion, Long Run, remains the 5/2 favourite to claim a second successive Gold Cup, despite his two defeats at the hands of Kauto Star this season, who is the 4/1 second favourite to win a third Gold Cup at the age of 12 and Grands Crus is the next best after the leading duo and is a 9/1 chance in the latest Gold Cup betting.

It is Grands Crus who re-enters the spotlight with a tilt at the Argento and his trainer, David Pipe, will be looking for a winning performance in this race to help make up his mind whether to run him against Long Run and Kauto Star at Cheltenham or remain on course for his original target of the RSA Chase given he is after all, still a Novice.

Pipe has certainly selected a race that should test Grands Crus to the full, he will have a number of quality rivals to beat including, Captain Chris, who was third in the King George as well as this season's Hennessy Gold Cup winner, Carruthers. Nick Williams is also keen to run Diamond Harry, winner of the 2010 Hennessy and is widely regarded by many as a potential dark horse for the Cheltenham Gold Cup himself. Tidal Bay, winner of the 2008 Arkle Challenge Trophy will be having his first run over fences for new trainer, Paul Nicholls, whilst Time For Rupert will attempt to redeem his flagging reputation with a big run for trainer Paul Webber. Nicholls also intends to run Minack, who looked very impressive when winning the Listed Owen Brown Silver Cup over three miles at Wincanton a week before Christmas and who also has an entry for the Gold Cup.

The other horse who has been subject to antepost support to win the Gold Cup is the Jonjo O’Neill trained, Synchronised, who looked so impressive when winning the Grade One Lexus Chase over three miles at Leopardstown at the end of December. This 2010 Welsh National winner appears to have improved hugely this season and is currently a 12/1 shot to win the National Hunt’s most prized race. He is likely to be next seen in the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup on 12th February before a decision is made whether or not he goes to Cheltenham.

As far as Long Run is concerned, trainer Nicky Henderson intends to run him next in the Grade 2 Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury on 11th February. Henderson also intends to run without the earplugs fitted prior to his victory in last year’s King George. Henderson believes that the ear plugs may have started to relax the seven year old too much, hence his two defeats by Kauto Star this season. He also has made it clear that he believes that Long Run has not taken a step backwards since last season but rather showing signs of improve.

Meanwhile, Kauto Star continues to enjoy life at Ditcheat, his trainer, Paul Nicholls is delighted with stable star this season where he looking as good as he did four years ago despite his advancing years. It is difficult to understand the reasons why he was so apparently jaded last season but one explanation proffered is that the fall he took in the 2010 Gold Cup upset his confidence and it took time for it to be restored. That is now in the past and Nicholls remains more than hopeful that the Kauto Star can end his illustrious career with a third triumph in the Gold Cup, a result that would arguably end all arguments about whether he's the greatest chaser of all time.