Pipe delays Crus decision

David Pipe will not decide until much nearer the Cheltenham Festival which race Grands Crus goes for.

Last year's World Hurdle runner-up worked well at Pipe's Pond House media day on Tuesday, and has either the Cheltenham Gold Cup or the RSA Chase as possible targets next month.

Pipe told the assembled media that a decision has still to be taken on which direction his stable star goes, and says the make-up of the two races is a key consideration.

Meanwhile Grand National favourite Junior remains a Cheltenham Gold Cup possible, with Pipe revealing that his eighth place at Newbury on Friday has "blown the cobwebs away". The Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster a week on Saturday is also under consideration.

Pipe also had updates on several of his other Cheltenham Festival contenders, and revealed that The Package is on target for the JLT Speciality Chase.

Salut Flo is one Pipe is looking forward to, the trainer says he has lot of ability and is versatile in trip. He's entered in nearly every handicap. Our Father meanwhile is in the Coral Cup, the Pertemps Final and the World Hurdle, but a handicap is the likely route.

Pipe runs Dynaste in the World Hurdle and admits it is "almost impossible" to beat the mighty Big Buck's. But he says his charge - who gave the Paul Nicholls superstar a run for his money at Prestbury Park recently - will try.