King George - Grands Crus to Run

Just Crus-in' - Last year's Feltham winner looks outstanding value to follow up in the King George.

David Pipe has today confirmed Grands Crus as a runner in Boxing Day’s showpiece the King George, as the second season chasers look to continue their domination of the season’s big races.

The grey, last seen pulling up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, has now had a breathing operation to hopefully cure what seemed to be ailing him on his last two runs.

A hugely impressive winner of the Feltham on the card last year, in which he clocked a faster time than King George winner Kauto Star when handing a comprehensive beating to this season’s Betfair Chase and Hennessy winners Silviniaco Conti and Bobs Worth, Grands Crus looks a huge price on the strength of his best form.

He’s rapidly becoming a cliff horse for me but I can’t shake last year’s Feltham win – and we have seen in recent years how strong a trial that race can be for the King George with ante-post favourite for this year’s race Long Run graduating from winning the Feltham to landing the King George the following year.

You’re taking a huge leap of faith with Grands Crus on his RSA and Paddy Power runs but we’ve seen breathing operations sort out horses in the past – Bobs Worth immediately springing to mind.

Trainer David Pipe has been quite vocal that the horse would only run if he’s right so the fact they’ve announced he’ll run, perhaps a little earlier than expected, can only be a positive sign of the horse’s well-being post operation.

Available at 10/1 at the time of writing I can only see him shortening up as the big race nears. He should handle soft ground but if it was really testing he may struggle to outstay Long Run who surely has his best chance in recent memory of getting back in to the winner’s enclosure.

Long Run’s price is now ample short enough however, so for me I’m hoping Grands Crus and stable mate Dynaste earlier on the card in the Feltham can make Boxing Day a grey day.

King George Betting – Best Odds:

Long Run 15/8
Riverside Theatre 5/1
Cue Card 11/2
Kauto Stone 15/2
Grands Crus 10/1
The Giant Bolster 12/1
Captain Chris 14/1
Junior 25/1
Champion Court 25/1
For Non Stop 33/1

Recommendation:

Back Grands Crus to win @ 10/1 (Stan James/Coral)