Gary Moore: Sire De Grugy fit enough to do himself justice on Saturday

Trainer hopeful of big run from Betway Champion Chase hope but has left a little to work on

Gary Moore updates us on Betway Champion Chase hopeful Sire De Grugy, ahead of the horse’s eagerly-awaited reappearance in Saturday’s Game Spirit at Newbury.

“Sire De Grugy did his final piece of serious work this morning ahead of Saturday’s Game Spirit and I’m delighted with what I saw.

He’s ready for Newbury now but, don’t get me wrong, he’ll come on for the run and there’s still a little bit left to work on.

But he’s fit enough to do himself justice. Jamie [Moore] rode him this morning and he was really pleased. We covered bits of the gallops overnight and after a power harrowing the gallop was riding quite deep.

Sire De Grugy will do nothing between now and the race. It was reopened yesterday and we’ll know later who’s taking us on, but I’m not worried about a small field as long as there’s some pace.”

The 2014 two-mile champion chaser is the 9/2 second favourite with Betway behind 2013 winner Sprinter Sacre (3/1) for March’s renewal.