David Pipe up for grey to challenge Big Buck's

Big Buck's has evaded all challengers in the staying division for the last couple of years, taking the Ladbrokes World Hurdle on two occasions, but bookmakers were forced to make wholesale changes in their market for the Festival title.

The sponsors even eased Big Buck's to 4-6 favourite from 4-7 and priced Grands Crus up at just 3-1 after he pulverised a Grade Two field.

Pipe said afterwards: "Most dreams are shattered here but he's done that exceptionally nicely.

"I've always held him in the highest regard and he's proved it today. Today was the World Hurdle without Big Buck's and let's hope we both get there in good form.

"I wouldn't swap him for anything - even Big Buck's."

Pipe went on: "He's a unique horse. He's very quiet in his box and has his head down on the way to the gallops but once he gets to the gallops, you can't stop him."

Jockey Tom Scudamore added: "He's quite good, isn't he! You'd have to say he's bang there. Big Buck's is the one to beat but if anything is going to beat him, it's going to be us."

Neptune Collonges earned himself the right to at least another supporting role in the Gold Cup after the often-discounted grey returned to the winner's enclosure for the first time in nearly two years under Tony McCoy in the Argento Chase.

Neptune Collonges ran with credit to place behind his better-known stable companions Denman and Kauto Star at the 2008 and 2009 Festivals.

Trainer Paul Nicholls said: "He's got an entry for the National and an entry for a Gold Cup, but we'll see how he is and chat about the future."