It is surprising that the betting public has lost its faith so quickly in Sire De Grugy (3.25). Having been sent off at just 5-2 for the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month, the bonny chestnut is 15-2 and sixth in the betting for the 10-runner Melling Chase at Aintree on Friday.
That could be a mistake because, while it was undeniably disappointing that he was beaten 10 lengths into fourth at last month’s meeting, there were several contributing factors that might even be regarded as excuses.
My own feeling is that he was held up too far off the pace in a race that worked out well for those up front, as quite a few Festival races did this year. But the race may also have come a bit quick after his Chepstow prep run.
There was also a suspicion that two miles is on the sharp side for him, now that he is nine. In that case, it will be interesting to see him over this two-and-a-half miles. He did not fare well here as a novice two years ago but he is twice the horse now that he was then.
Apart from Cheltenham, there is remarkably little to worry about in Sire De Grugy’s record. Barring an unseat on his comeback, he was unbeaten in his previous six, including three Grade Ones on the bounce. I have every hope that Joshua Moore, deputising for his injured brother Jamie, can get a good tune out of him.
Al Ferof and Cue Card are clearly obvious dangers after their wind operations, though I would take Sire De Grugy over them if this came down to a speed test. Champagne Fever has a bit to prove after a disappointing winter and his odds do not invite. Balder Succes could be overpriced back on a flat track, though his Festival effort was deplorable.
2.15 Nicky Henderson’s ability with a fast hurdler is shown by the fact that he has won this four times in the last five years. Cardinal Walter would not be the fastest in his yard but he might still be the fastest here, having taken a step forward to record an easy win at Doncaster last time in what was admittedly a weak contest. A drying surface helps him more than most of his rivals.
2.50 Alan King has a fine record at this meeting in recent years and seven of his last 10 Grade One wins have come over these three days. His Carraig Mor deserves better than to be a 14-1 shot here, though a rare blunder at Kempton over Christmas robbed him of his best chance to prove his quality. He may bounce off this ground and could prove hard to catch.
4.05 Tony McCoy has a fine chance of a winner to add to his victory at Aintree on Jezki when he gets the leg up on on Eastlake, while Montoya’s Son is a mad price at 25-1. But it is impossible to resist the claims of Monetaire, who possibly ought to have won at the Cheltenham Festival, when the start went against him. He was running on all the way to the line but could not reel in a rival who had been revived by a wind operation. Monetaire remains well treated and this course should not be difficult for him.
4.40 Minella Rocco is going to make a smashing chaser but the Willie Mullins-trained Roi Des Francs might have the legs of him on this drying ground. Placed in a Cheltenham handicap last month, the champion Irish trainer’s charge will appreciate the extra distance.
