Moore makes Sire De Grugy admission

Trainer Gary Moore admits Sire De Grugy is still short of full fitness ahead of his return at Newbury on February 7.

Sire De Grugy is set to compete for the first time since a victory at Sandown in April in the Game Spirit Chase next month, but Moore remains cautious over the nine-year-old’s fitness.

Moore told At The Races: “He’s not as fit as I’d like at this stage. He worked this morning and he worked well – as long as he improves for his work on Saturday I’ll be satisfied, but he did look like he needed the work this morning.”

The Queen Mother Champion Chase winner has seen his plans for this season disrupted by a setback but Moore remains confident Sire De Grugy will rediscover his best form sooner rather than later, although he concedes he may not be in top condition at Newbury.

When asked if he was confident his charge was as good as ever, Moore replied: “I couldn’t answer that question truthfully now, but I’d be very disappointed if he wasn’t and very surprised if he wasn’t.

“I don’t think he’ll go to Newbury as fit as he can be, but it’s not all about Newbury, is it?”