GRANDS CRUS TO CROSS CHASE DIVIDE

Grands Crus, David Pipe's top-class staying hurdler, is set to embark upon a new career over fences next month.

The six-year-old grey was expected to put it up to Big Buck's in last season's World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival following a superb performance in the Cleeve Hurdle, but he was ultimately no match for that brilliant performer.

Big Buck's was an even more emphatic winner when the pair renewed rivalry at Aintree a month later and with Grands Crus disappointing in the French Champion Hurdle on his latest start, connections have decided to switch codes.

"We are very excited to be planning a novice chase campaign with him for the season. We'll aim to have him out in November," said Pipe.

"We have a lot of new horses this season accompanied by a lot of the old boys.

"We're really looking forward to the season and I'd like to think we'll have a consistent season with winners at the Cheltenham Festival the aim.

"It's so difficult to get even one winner there but we've got a lovely lot of horses and a great team and we're really looking forward to the season."

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