Running in parallel with the Crystal Cup, the Trophée National du Cross produces the best cross country horses in France, as judged across a series of 15 races concluding in December.

The T N C has rarely been a medium for foreign competition; indeed the population of cross country trained horses in France is more than sufficient to fill its races. That trend was broken by the brave attempt by the Czech-trained Gap Pierji to improve upon his Fontainebleau third in the Grand Cross de Strasbourg at the eponymous racecourse on Monday.

Eight runners lined up to face the starter in this 5,200m (3m 1f) challenge of 29 fences, including the winners of 11 races. Indian file was the order of the day in the early stages, with no-one keen to force a pace in the sticky ground. Baptiste Leclerc was happy to dictate the pace of the race on Ivresse d’Estruval with favourite Jack Lux for the Clayeux/de Giles axis handy.

The curious route which criss-crosses the all-weather trotting track and has many sharp turns does not lend itself to a fast-run race. To that end, fallers are mercifully rare, although we lost Inouie Tiepy and James Reveley at the 18th. At this pivotal stage, little more than 5l covered the field, with Gazee de Bedon, Baby Business and Gap Pierji queuing up for their opportunity to pick off Jack Lux and Ivresse d’Estruval in front.

Jack Lux all but lost his advantage at the 26th, blundering away his chance with a mistake that had de Giles on the buckle end. This handed the lead to Ivresse d’Estruval, chased down by Halco de Sarti, whose effort faded as Leclerc sprinted clear in the final 200 yards.

The first three are all candidates worthy of a Crystal Cup adventure, and we’re likely to see them at winter venues like Pau. The sporting Scuderia Aichner, owners of Gap Pierji, picked up €1,560 for their sixth place position.