DAVID Pipe will aim Grands Crus at either the Betfred Gold Cup or the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival following his pleasing comeback run at Kempton.

The seven-year-old grey was an excellent third to Long Run in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day in his first race since undergoing a wind operation following a disappointing performance in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month.

“I thought it was a fantastic run, the best we could have hoped for in those conditions after he had a wind op,’’ said Pipe.

“He had a bit of time off so I thought he ran a cracking race. He just got tired up the home straight.

“We’re back on track and it’s onwards and upwards.

“It will be the Gold Cup or the Ryanair.’’ Dynaste, who took his 100 per cent record over fences to three with an exhilarating success in the Feltham Novices’ Chase on the same Kempton card, is to have one more run before the Festival.

“He’s good, very exciting and has come out of the race well,’’ said Pipe.

“I’m not sure where we go next, but I expect he’ll have one more run and then the Cheltenham Festival.

Dynaste is currently antepost favourite for both the RSA Chase and the Jewson Novices’ Chase.

Meanwhile, Puffin Billy’s run at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day is likely to decide which race will be his target at the big March meeting.

Trainer Oliver Sherwood is to run his exciting recruit in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle on January 28.

The Upper Lambourn handler is hoping that race will provide him with the answer of whether to go for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle over an extended two miles or the Neptune over a further five furlongs.

Puffin Billy is currently a top-priced 10-1 for the Supreme and 12s for the Neptune after winning his two starts over hurdles in tremendous style.

“He’s grand. I was half thinking of going for the Tolworth next Saturday, but I’m not going to,’’ Sherwood told At The Races.

“I’m going to keep my guns dry and go to Cheltenham on Trials Day for the two and a half mile novice hurdle.

“Then we’ll decide whether he’s going to go for the two mile or the two and a half mile novice at the Festival.’’