Holding ground will face the ten starters for tomorrow’s Anjou-Loire Challenge, the final leg of the Crystal Cup, with honours for the season already in the bag for Czech trainer Josef Vana and his main patron Scuderia Aichner. The pairing set up an early lead in the Challenge back in the autumn, and have never looked like being caught since, despite a late flurry of points by Gavin Cromwell.

The world’s longest steeplechase nevertheless is a fascinating contest, this year restricted solely to French-trained runners, and goes off at 1945 ET, where a rematch between last year’s first and second looks on the cards again.

12 months ago, Shawinigan was bested by Gold Allen, who ran out a 10l winner under Clement Lefebvre. After a mid-winter break, Patrice Quinton’s cross country standard bearer prepped with a 2l second to Klitcho de Belair in leg 10 at Fontainebleau, with Miss Laura behind. He is admirably consistent for the Papot family who support the sport so strongly in France.

Shawinigan has also had a break since the conclusion of the Pau season in February, so comes here with fresh legs, looking to reclaim the race he won in 2024. The pair make a strong case for sending the trophy back to Dragey-Ronthon tomorrow evening.

Three of the entries fought out the finish of a shorter cross country here at the start of April, in which Hiso prevailed against Illico and Job d’Ete. The distances of 1 1/4l and 1l mean there’s not much between this younger generation of chasers now reaching their peak. Thomas Journiac takes the ride on Hiso for Adrien Sannier and remains the strongest of the younger generation.

William Menuet’s Saturne Pelem is another youngster who may have a bearing on this race. Two previous runs at Lion d’Angers last month concluded in a short head victory over Miss Laura with Speed des Landes, Gemini d’Ax and Hersent du Mee behind. In the first of these races, won by Hiso (See above), the eight year old was well behind, but he looked to improve a fortnight later.

A compelling race looks in prospect, irrespective of the lack of overseas runners. See the full field here