TOP trainer David Pipe is grappling with whether rising star Grands Crus is ready for a big jump in class in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup.

His exciting young chaser is third favourite behind heavyweight duo Long Run and Kauto Star for the feature event of the Cheltenham Festival on March 16.

Pipe hasn't yet decided whether to run the seven-year-old in the Gold Cup or to stick to novice company in the RSA Chase, for which he is the hot favourite.

Asked about the pros and cons of running Grands Crus in the Gold Cup, Pipe replied yesterday: "Is he ready for it and the opposition. I suppose those are the two things.

"Can he travel at the pace of the Gold Cup? I would say yes.

"Can he jump at the pace of the Gold Cup? That's probably the only issue.

"He's been very good so far in his three races this season, but that's in novice chases."

The question of which of the two races Grands Crus will run in at the Festival has dominated the build-up to the Festival.

Pipe said a decision might not be made until less than a week before the meeting, which starts on March 13.

He will discuss the matter with co-owners Yvonne Reynolds, from Cheltenham, and Roger Stanley and his father Martin, the record-breaking champion trainer.

Pipe said: "We have to see what's left in the race, and the ground conditions – not that it's going to make that much difference.

"But unfortunately you do read about horses missing Cheltenham for various reasons and that may have an impact on which of the two races he's in.

"We'll have a sit down and a chat and I'm sure a decision won't be made until seven, ten days before the race.

"If anyone does want to back him they should back him 'with a run' in whatever race.

"My main priority is keeping him sound, well and healthy.

"He worked well this morning and we've got to keep him like that for another three weeks."

He added: "I think it would be a combined decision between us.

"I hope Yvonne won't mind me saying this, but I'm sure Yvonne will go along with whatever I say. I don't know about Roger."

Grands Crus is unbeaten in his three novice chases this season, beating Martin Keighley's stable star Champion Court first time out at Cheltenham.

After winning at Newbury next time, the former high-class hurdler powered to an impressive victory at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Pipe said: "It's good that he's got the experience around Cheltenham.

"He probably wasn't fully wound-up at Cheltenham first time and I thought he won okay at Newbury.

"I thought it was the real Grands Crus that turned up at Kempton."

Pipe said there was a question mark over reigning champion Long Run following his defeat of stablemate Burton Port at Newbury last Friday.

In contrast, he said 2007 and 2009 Gold Cup winner Kauto Star appeared to be at the top of his game, despite being 12.

Pipe said: "I think Nicky Henderson (trainer) is the only one who knows the true value of that form at Newbury.

"It may be that Long Run did very well to give 10lb to Burton Port.

"Long Run hasn't done much wrong this season but visually he doesn't look as impressive as last year and perhaps he's just racing a little bit lazily, whereas Kauto looks probably better."