Sire De Grugy winning at Cheltenham last March© Photo Healy Racing
Sire De Grugy got his season back on track with a fine weight-carrying display in the Rifles Handicap Chase at Chepstow.
Last year's Queen Mother Champion Chase hero only made his seasonal reappearance at Newbury two weeks ago following a setback, and that run did not go to plan as he unseated Jamie Moore.
Sent off the 5-4 favourite despite conceding upwards of 20lb, Sire De Grugy made amends in style as he oozed class throughout.
He jumped out of Moore's hands at the third-last fence, with the leap taking him into the lead, and he was similarly impressive at the penultimate obstacle.
He eventually pulled seven lengths clear of Grey Gold at the line, with Moore thoroughly delighted by Sire De Grugy's effort.
He told At The Races: "You could see he came up out of my hands a couple of times, which he never really did at Newbury. He's back on song now. Grey Gold is a good horse, but he put him in his place.
"He travelled well and coming up the straight I was thinking 'this is him' and I was buzzing. I gave him a couple of flicks and he got a bit tired at the last, but that was probably giving the weight away.
"Last season we were very lucky, this season it's gone a bit Pete Tong. I wouldn't swap him for anything (at Cheltenham). I love him to bits."
Queen Mother Champion Chase sponsor Betway make the Gary Moore-trained Sire De Grugy a 9-2 chance from 6-1 to successfully defend his Festival title, while Paddy Power go 7-2 from 5-1 about his chance.
