David Pipe has retired Grands Crus

Grands Crus, one of the best staying hurdlers and novice chasers of his generation, has been retired.

The nine-year-old grey, trained by David Pipe, looked destined for the top when he won the Feltham Chase at Kempton in December 2011, but several training problems prevented him from fulfilling his potential.

As a staying hurdler only Big Buck's was his superior and he ran Paul Nicholls' star to a length and three-quarters in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival. He is now enjoying a new career in the equestrian world.

``'George' had been a wonderful standard-bearer for the yard, proving only inferior to the mighty Big Buck's in the staying hurdles division before becoming the best novice chaser of his generation culminating with a memorable victory over Silviniaco Conti and Bobs Worth in the Grade One Feltham Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day in 2011,'' the Nicholashayne handler told www.davidpipe.com.

``Unfortunately he suffered with well-documented issues afterwards and never truly scaled the same heights. He has subsequently been participating in ex-racehorse showing events and dressage with Julie Reynolds in Tewkesbury and has been doing very well.

``While it is a shame that we will not be seeing him on a racecourse again, he owes us absolutely nothing and after discussing it with his owners it was decided that retirement from racing was in his best interest.

``He is kept active and contented and I am sure you will join me in wishing him a long and happy second career.''

Grands Crus won seven of his 20 starts and amassed nearly £250,000 in prize money. His final appearance came over hurdles at Kempton last November.