/ Alex Steedman / 04 March 2011 / Leave a Comment 
That grey blur is World Hurdle contender Grand Crus
"This looks a race to take an in-running view: If Grand Crus is in front for any length of time I’d favour Big Buck’s but if young Scu can somehow delay Grand Crus’ explosive late burst then we could have a new champion."
The World Hurdle is a two horse battle but will first place go to the reigning champ or the new contender? It may all come down to tactics, says Alex Steedman
Sporting history is liberally sprinkled with rivalries where the efforts of both provide the spur towards greatness. Borg was Borg but more because of McEnroe while Sugar Ray Leonard earned his name and fortune on the backs of Hagler, Hearns and Duran.
Poor old Big Buck's has been walking his box dreaming about such challenges but having looked a one horse race for more than a year, the World Hurdle is suddenly an interesting match at least.
Grand Crus' ([3.75]) left-field slash through the ranks has been one of the season's highlights so far and an exhibition in old school secrecy from the Pipe camp. How they managed to contain themselves throughout the summer knowing that the best handicapped horse in training was stabled within their walls was a job in itself. But having witnessed the celebrations in the paddock at Cheltenham in November believe me, for them, it was worth the wait. There were other owners attached to the yard dancing with calculators twitching in their sparkling eyes; they absolutely chopped the lot off.
It's almost ludicrous to consider that Grand Crus delivered that day from a mark of 126 and having bolted up at Haydock a week later, then in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle on trials day, the grey is now a whopping 43lbs higher in the handicap, only 5lbs below Big Buck's. With the promise of even more to come he is a worthy challenger for the title and this is a bout in line with the greats.
The supporting cast is not of the calibre of Hearns or Hagler but Irish raiders and stable mates Mourad and Fiveforthree are of interest. Mourad ([15.5]) has only twice finished outside the money in the UK and Ireland and heads for Cheltenham bouncing on the back of successive Grade 2 wins.
His effort in the Hatton's Grace behind Hurricane Fly suggests he has Grade 1 potential, particularly given he is only six and it's worth remembering he was third to Zaynar in the Triumph two years ago. He has chances at around [3.15] in the place market but there are half a dozen horses squabbling over that slot.
Fiveforthree ([18.0] to win) is a mini marvel given his inactivity in recent years but with five wins from eight hurdle starts, he knows how to win. Beating 13-year-old Newmill on his comeback told us little beyond his wellbeing. Nevertheless, he has Grade 1 form in the book and having won the Ballymore on the back of finishing fifth in the Bumper, he has that crucial festival experience. He is (4.4) for a place.
In truth though, this race is all about Big Buck's against Grand Crus and the spectacle of the challenge. Big Buck's has won ten consecutive hurdle races since unseating in the Hennessy more than two years ago. He's amassed three quarters of a million pounds in prize money, two World Hurdles and an army of fans along the way. He's seen off threatening young guns Punchestowns and RSA favourite Time for Rupert at the last two festivals and probably can't wait to eyeball Grand Crus.
There is the tantalising prospect of this pair recording hitherto unseen Timeform figures and the way the race unfolds will be fascinating for the in-running players.
When Punchestowns failed to deny Big Buck's' two years ago I came away with the feeling that the Nicholls horse might just be vulnerable to a surge of well-timed, late acceleration and there is no doubt that Grand Crus has that in his arsenal. He is a sharper, faster hurdler than Big Buck's and, I think, a quicker horse too. But with the Big B there is the sense that there is so much more under the bonnet.
Paul Nicholls' French buyer Anthony Bromley told me that having worked Big Buck's recently, Ruby Walsh jumped off and said, without a trace of irony; "can we supplement him for the Gold Cup after he's won the World Hurdle?" Confidence in the champ is very, very high.
Still, I think tactics will play a final, decisive role. On trials day Tom Scudamore told Cheltenham and Timeform Radio listeners; "I'll go down to Pond House the week before Cheltenham and go through the videos with David and work it out. I certainly wouldn't be worried though about setting the race up for Big Buck's."
I'm not so sure and I wouldn't be surprised to see Grand Crus squared away at the back of the field until absolutely necessary. But he is a keen going, strong traveller and how easy that will be is another thing again. There is perhaps an onus on him too and there is the doubt about how effective he will be on better ground.
This looks a race to take an in-running view: If Grand Crus is in front for any length of time I'd favour Big Buck's but if young Scu can somehow delay Grand Crus' explosive late burst then we could have a new champion.
Either way, it may be a match they'll be talking about in years to come.
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