Trainer Gary Moore has confirmed that Sire De Grugy will miss the Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday.
The recently turned 11-year-old chestnut and 2014 Champion Chase winner was being considered for the Grade One race when it was revealed there will likely be soft ground at Ascot.
But Moore has decided that Sire De Grugy requires a little more rest following a good start to the season in which he has already won at Ascot, finished a length second to Un De Sceaux in the Tingle Creek at Sandown and galloped the two miles in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton despite being an early casualty in the race.
“He’s not going to run at the weekend,” said Moore.
“It’s coming too soon for him. I know he got rid of Jamie early, but he galloped a full circuit.
“He’ll go straight to Newbury now for the Game Spirit.
“Ar Mad will run and it at least means Jamie can ride him.”
