Gary Moore yet to decide whether Sire De Grugy runs before Sandown
Last Updated: 21/10/14 11:08am
Trainer Gary Moore remains undecided on whether to give stable star Sire De Grugy a prep run before the Tingle Creek at Sandown on December 6.
With Sprinter Sacre absent for most of last season after suffering a heart problem, Sire De Grugy was the undoubted star of the two-mile chasing division, with success in the Tingle Creek and the Champion Chase at Cheltenham among his five victories.
The eight-year-old underwent an operation at the end of the campaign to have bone chips removed from his ankles and Moore feels his charge could return to action better than ever this autumn.
"He'll have an entry in the Shloer Chase (Cheltenham, November 16). I don't really want to go there if I can help it. If I can afford it (to miss the race) I will do,'' the trainer told At The Races.
"He may have an entry in the Haldon Gold Cup (Exeter, November 4), but he might not go to either. He'd have to go, without a run, straight to the Tingle Creek. It wouldn't be a worry at all. I can get him fit at home. He's an easy horse to train.
"He seems a lot happier horse and a much sounder horse than he used to be. Perhaps they (bone chips) were aggravating him. He was never lame through them, but luckily we had him scanned and it proved up those areas."
With Sprinter Sacre on course to make his eagerly-anticipated return at Sandown in December, a fascinating clash could be in store, something which Moore would relish.
"I'm looking forward to it. Obviously he (Sprinter Sacre) is a massive talent. It will be interesting," said Moore.