Sire De Grugy to miss Cheltenham but Traffic Fluide in line for Douvan clash

Sire De Grugy has been ruled out of the Cheltenham Festival, but trainer Gary Moore could still be represented by Traffic Fluide in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.Moore claimed the two-mile showpiece with Sire De Grugy back in 2014 but the 11-year-old will not run in Wednesday's Grade One heat as he has not been sparkling since unshipping his rider at Kempton over Christmas.The trainer told his Betway blog: "Sire De Grugy holds entries at Cheltenham for both the Champion Chase and the Grand Annual, but he won't be taking up either of those engagements.He hasn't been himself really since unseating at Kempton over Christmas and his work has been disappointing." Moore went on:"There is no point heading to Cheltenham when you are not on your A Game and for that reason we are going to give this year's Festival a miss with him. "I certainly won't be rushing him back as he owes us nothing at this stage of his career."Hopefully we can get him back to his best by the time the Celebration Chase at Sandown comes around, so that gives him plenty of time."Traffic Fluide could line up in the Queen Mother, despite finishing last of six behind Cue Card in the Ascot Chase last month.The seven-year-old is also entered in the Ryanair Chase and a couple of handicaps, but Moore is favouring the two-mile championship.He said: "A lot obviously depends on the ground, but at this stage I am certainly leaning towards taking on Douvan in the Betway Champion Chase with Traffic Fluide."He seems to be working really well and if the word 'soft' appears in the going description, as looks likely at this stage, that's where he will go."If the ground dries out quickly, we do have the option of stepping him up in trip for the Ryanair Chase, but the Champion remains the preferred option."The two quick runs he had last month have definitely helped with his fitness, as he seems to be working a lot better now."On face value, those runs were disappointing, but it was important to get him back on the track."Jamie (Moore) says that he felt very flat at Ascot last time and that he would have been much closer if he hadn't run at Newbury the week before."I've always held Traffic Fluide in the highest regard and I'm delighted with the way he is at the moment."