IT would be a considerable shock if Grands Crus did not emerge the star turn in the GPG Novices’ Chase at Newbury.

The David Pipe-trained grey graduated from hurdling as one of the highest-rated horses for some time to make the leap over fences.

And from what we saw at Cheltenham this month, it hardly appears a miscalculation.

Although Cue Card unseated his jockey early on, it would probably have made no difference as Pipe’s six-year-old jumped impeccably, easily defeating a strong field by upwards of ten lengths.

This may be considered a step up in class, but that Cheltenham novices’ chase could not have been much stronger, and a simple replication ought to see him home and hosed, with this longer trip also ideal.

Victory would fuel the fires for those who already consider him a genuine Gold Cup contender in March.

Sentimentaljourney should also be followed in the CSP Novices’ Handicap Hurdle.

The Jonjo O’Neill-trained four-year-old has progressed since reverting to hurdles, shaping particularly well at Sandown last time.

Despite having been hamstrung by a sleepy gallop, the four-year-old stayed true and straight on the run-in to get to within a length and a half of Enfant De Lune, who looks above average.

A ready scorer at Ffos Las in October, another 2lb rise here does not look the end of the world, while he should get a far truer pace over this slightly longer trip.

Milly Malone should later emerge a bit better than her inaugural mark of 104 in the southwest-racing.co.uk Mares’ Handicap Hurdle at Taunton.

Oliver Sherwood will rightly head to Somerset expectant of a good run from this sparinglyraced five-year-old, who might have won at Towcester last time were it not for an error at the last flight.

Cross Kennon, meanwhile, looks quite an exciting addition to the chasing ranks, and will be a popular winner of the Direct Telecoms Beginners’ Chase at Uttoxeter.

Jennie Candlish’s seven-yearold claimed fourth spot in last season’s World Hurdle, beaten just five lengths by the mighty Big Buck’s, and should be far sharper here than when finishing a rather sketchy fifth on his chasing bow at Carlisle.

Galician can fulfil the promise from two previous starts when she returns to the fray at Kempton.

The juvenile filly has already looked quite a polished performer, despite being in her salad years, but can go one step further in the Blue Square/British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes.

Mark Johnston’s youngster made quite a splash on her debut at Redcar, when she finished second to the welltouted Starboard, with the third home that day, Dos Amigos, a yawning four lengths away.

It was a similar scenario on her next try, over seven furlongs at this track a week ago, as Galician again occupied the runner-up berth.

History may tell us that she was seriously up against it behind Solar Deity, who looks a nice prospect for the Marco Botti team.

The form also looks strong, with Galician some three lengths in front of the useful Safari Sunseeker in third.

Galician was only worried out of it at the death by Solar Deity, so it is perhaps of little surprise to see the grey daughter of Redoute’s Choice drop to six furlongs here.