Dual winner of Craon’s Grand Cross Country Steeplechase will never have a better (or indeed another) opportunity to record a third consecutive win in the Mayenne racecourse’s marquee race, facing just five other starters in a summer marked by small fields for cross country races.

However, even now, the race is a tough ask, with a clutch of emerging talent, and an age range of nine years from five to Roi Mage, who topped 14 this January. That he has appetite for the fight is not in doubt; he has been carefully nurtured through the latter part of his career, and specifically aimed at this race. Indeed, it will be his first run in 2026, and a victory would add a strong poignancy to a family who lost licence holder Paddy at 84 only last month. Son James has pioneered his exploits back in France with great panache and no little skill.

Ranged up against the veteran however is an impressive array of previous Crystal Cup winners. Klitchco de Belair had top class cross country horses like Gold Allen and Miss Laura behind when winning by 2l at Fontainebleau in March, but ground conditions here are as chalk to cheese, that being heavy ground. And he was beaten by the youngster in the field, Pepite Bleu, in Corlay’s Grand Cross on good to soft in June. He doesn’t look an obvious choice on ground not best suited to him.

Iceo Madrik created chaos when refusing at the trou de loup at Compiegne last November, but after extensive schooling, that waywardness looks behind him. He ducked a showdown with stable mate Placenet at Waregem on Tuesday to come here, and Placenet won handsomely. A 2l win over L’Irlandaise here in June over a shorter distance is a perfect prep and with the assistance of cravache d’or winner Felix de Giles, he will be a strong fancy.

Gabriel Leenders fields Sweet David, who has run sparingly since running out a 6 1/2l winner over perpetual bridesmaid Mister Coffey in Cheltenham’s opening cross country last November, thus swerving an appointment with tougher opposition the same weekend in France. His only outing in 2026 to date was a 1 3/4l third in a pump primer hurdle at Senonnes at the end of July, so assume he is primed for the task. He won well at Cheltenham indicating that whilst a handicap, he is more than capable against this opposition.

Which leaves two remaining. Gemini d’Ax has drawn a blank from 4 runs so far this year, and was a distant fourth in the Anjou-Loire Challenge at lion d’Angers in May. He showed some sign of winning form when a 3l second at the same course last month, but others appeal more.

Pepite Bleu finishes this preview. As the youngest horse in the race, he is stull subject to improvement, but he comes from a long line of cross country horses trained at Dragey-Ronthon by Patrice Quinton, who already leads the Crystal Cup leaderboard after Waregem, and could assert a further advantage here. Five year old Pepite Bleu comes to this race on a hat-trick after a convincing debut over cross country obstacles at lion d’Angers and a short head victory in Corlay’s Grand Cross, in which Klitcho de Belair was found wanting. The Corlay race was a tight finish, so positions could readily be reversed, but he more than deserves to be in the field, and may yet prove the best.

A race to savour then, in which the heart will favour the veteran Roi Mage, the head Pepite Bleu.

Full race details here

Around 30 minutes west of Waregem sits the charming town of Ypres, centre of one of the bloodiest battles in human history, where in four long years between 1914-18, nearly half a million British, Commonwealth and German soldiers lost their lives in winning  pitiful yards of ground. The acute human loss is commemorated each evening in front of some 500 tourists at the Menin Gate in the centre of the rebuilt town in a poignant and highly moving ceremony.

Battle of a different kind was joined yesterday at Waregem’s annual steeplechase meeting in front of a monster crowd of some 30,000 at an event that is to Belgian racing what Cheltenham is to its British equivalent. Seven runners representing stables in France and the Czech Republic joined battle for the ING -sponsored Grand Steeplechase of Flanders, a €100,000 handicap such as will not be found in Britain or Ireland for at least another month.

2024 winner and runner-up 12 months ago, Placenet, under the forceful riding of veteran Johnny Charron for David Cottin and octogenarian British owner Caroline Tisdall, made light work of his six rivals to win by 2 1/2l from Fan d’Apples, one of three runners for Patrice Quinton, attempting to win this for the 12th time.

Tisdall, who sent Placenet and stable companion Iceo Madrik to Cheltenham in January as a precursor to a tilt at the Festival cross country race, has horses in Britain, Ireland and France, and a recent acquisition in Irish National winner Soldier of Milan, who will be aimed at Aintree next Spring. Her joy at winning this quirky contest was a joy to behold, surrounded by fans signed up to her sporting nature.

Caroline Tisdall greets the return of Placenet and Johnny Charron

Charron had Placenet handy from the off, too the lead before 3 out, and a decisive advantage which he was able to maintain at the line, chased latterly by the late-finishing Fan d’Apples and Heraliste, who continues to improve.

The two Czech contenders, running in the Aichner colours that have won the Crystal Cup previously, were gallant fifth and sixth without ever managing to land a blow on the winner. But then this is a racecourse that needs a little knowing; a tight track where it pays to be handy.

First blood then to France in the first of the 12 legs of this Crystal Cup. Tisdall has Iceo Madrik entered at Craon this weekend, with every intention to capitalize on her lead in the Series.

For the full result, click here

An initial entry of 25 has whittled down to 7 runners for the first leg of the Crystal Cup, the €100,000 ING Grand Steeplechase de Flandres, at Waregem on Tuesday, in what looks a showdown between the leading proponents of cross country racing: Patrice Quinton and Josef Vana. However, whilst they field five of the seven, others may well spoil the party.

Topping the handicap at 70kg is the 2024 winner Placenet, bested into second place 12 months ago, and whose campaign since has been in pursuit of Cheltenham glory over the cross country obstacles at Jump racing’s HQ. It was no disgrace to finish 10 1/2l 4th to Final Orders at Cheltenham in December, and he’s subsequently been placed at Compiegne, on both occasions playing second fiddle to his owner’s Iceo Madrik. He comes here from a sharpener in a hurdle race at Compiegne. Over a distance too short for him, he never really got on terms before parting company with his jockey at the last, but he clearly relishes this course based on form figures at Waregem of 1-2. This could readily be his opportunity to win another big contest for octogenarian British owner Caroline Tisdall.

Heraliste is the other interloper in this private duel between Quinton and Vana. trained by Arnaud Chaille-Chaille, he comes here from placed efforts in lower grade chases at Dieppe and Lion d”Angers. Receiving 8kg from the top weight gives him some sort of chance, but this would be his first win at this level since a Gr III at Auteuil 23 months ago.

Vana’s pair are both French-breds purchased for leading owner Josef Aichner, whose family are continuing his enthusiasm for the sport following his death in mid-summer. Ches Demonmirail fell here 12 months ago, but based on his performances at Merano this summer, he’s got his act together, listing a win and second place at listed level, and a second berth at Gr II. Whilst the quality of Italian Graded races does not necessarily match French, British or Irish, he’s a progressive gelding reaching the peak of his ability.

Six year old Krokodile Dundee has also enjoyed a successful summer at Merano and Pardubice, but despite receiving 3.5kg from the top weight, he has still to improve to win this. Stable jockey Josef Bartos has chosen the younger horse in favour of Ches Demonmirail, which tells its own story.

And so to the King of the Grand Steeplechase de Flandres: Patrice Quinton. Were the race to enjoy a perpetual trophy, it barely merited it leaving Quinton HQ in Dragey-Ronthon during the second decade of the C21st. Ten consecutive winners of the race between 2011 and 2021 were only spoiled by the cancellation of the race in 2020 through the pandemic. Royal Fou (2011), Martalin (2012-14), Taupin Rochelais (2015-18), Calisco de Kerser (2019) and Gino des Dunes (2021) stretched a spectacular unbroken sequence which might have continued but for the last two runnings. The last British winner was in 1975: Kildagin, owned by Tommy Pilkington and ridden by John Sutherne. I find myself asking why the British and irish have largely ignored such a valuable contest this early in the season: a perfect opportunity for summer jumping horses rated 125+.

Quinton saddles 3 in Fan d’Apples, General Desjy, and Premier Vert.

Fan d’Apples showed good speed to see off 9 rivals in a limited handicap at Dieppe at the end of June off top weight, and followed up running on at one pace when well beaten at Clarefontaine a month later.

General Desjy was third in this race back in 2023, but he has plenty to find on his 14l second at Pompadour at the start of August. He is however the preferred mount of Cravache d’Or rider Felix de Giles, so hopes must rest on him from Quinton’s Normandy base.

Premier Vert was behind his stablemate in the Pompadour race, but was a comprehensive winner last autumn over a similar distance at Haras du Pin. You can never rule out a Quinton runner, but he looks the least likely of the trio.

A fascinating contest in prospect then, which may shape the final destination of the Crystal Cup next May.

Full list of runners here.

A strong entry of 24 marks this year’s Grand Flanders Steeplechase at Waregem on September 1st, the opening leg of the 12 race Crystal Cup, featuring the winners in each of the past two years.

Speed Emile, just 6 when he won this race 12 months ago, meets the 2024 winner Placenet, representing the sporting owner Caroline Tisdall. However, Crystal Cup rivals Patrice Quinton and Josef Vana are strongly represented, the Normandy trainer with no less than 9 entries, Vana with 3.

Speed Emile has enjoyed a fruitful 12 months, rarely finishing out of the frame and scoring twice in graded company at Merano. Interchanging between hurdles and chases, he’s shown good versatility and been well placed since scoring here in a rare first Flanders Steeplechase triumph for Guillaume Macaire and Hector Lageneste. It’s no surprise to see him entered here for a repeat, given the style of his success then., and he’s likely to be sent off favourite, despite top weight.

Placenet, second to Speed Emile last year, receives 3kg, a miserly concession by the handicapper given his disappointing exploits at Cheltenham that followed Waregem. In preparation for March, David Cottin sent him over for the December leg of the Crystal Cup to finish an 11l fourth to Final Orders. Albeit that was over a longer distance of 3m 5f, a full mile further, he looked one-paced, and he was already well beaten when pulling up before the last when returning for a second crack in January. There seems no reason he would alter the placings with the younger horse.

Both trainers may be double-handed however. Team Royan field 7 year old Jet d’Estruval, who is riding high on a hat-trick after a short head chase success at Meral, followed by a sharpener over hurdles at Pompadour last month. This handicap is quite a step up from his Meral success, but he’s on the upgrade and in receipt of 6.5kg from the topweight.

Also 7, Hill of Bamboo is another seeking a hat-trick for Cottin after a 2l success in a limited handicap at Strasbourg in mid June, and a 1 3/4l victory over the smaller obstacles at Dieppe last month, so as not to compromise his handicap mark. He is in receipt of an attractive 9kg over Speed Emile.

The last 3 years have seen a stream of Czech-trained horses purchased in France competing in the Crystal Cup, ensuring Josef Vana the overall Crystal Cup winner twice in the last 3 seasons. He is one to capitalize on the early fixtures, particularly here and at Merano, although now his principal owner has died, that momentum may be halted. Let us hope not for the spirit of international competition.

The Aichner-Vana partnership has registered 3 contenders for our opening race in Chez Desmonmirail, Krokodile Dundee and Grand de Thaix. the old man of the party, Grand de Thaix finished fourth here 12 months back, but evidence of his runs this summer in Merano suggests he is tapped for toe.

Vana’s other pair have been running up against each other in races at Merano this summer. Krokodile Dundee got the best of this clash in a chase over 3,900m in early May by 6l, but those placings were reversed in the Gr I Grand Premio d’Europa 3 weeks later, albeit both were behind topweight Speed Emile. All three may clash again in Merano’s Crystal Cup leg in late September, a more likely denouement than Waregem.

Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm have never won this race, but their syndicate, the Franglais Partnership, is represented in a pair of runners entered, one in the Grand Steeplechase, one in the lower value Prix Rallye Waregem. Eight year old Iltone doesn’t know how to run a poor race. Bought out of a Hexham novices hurdle for £20,000, he has been successfully campaigned in France to win 8 races to date and over €165,000. Small but with the heart of a lion, this is nevertheless a considerable step up in class.

Patrice Quinton is no stranger to success in this race, and his 9 entries illustrate an appetite to add to that record. Winners all nine, his choice as to how many to run will dictate the volume of runners in the field, which often cuts up to under 8.  Youngster of the party Loyd d’Erable is a 5 year old, but hasn’t been seen on the track since winning at Lignières in March; seven year old Winteriscoming has been hitting the crossbar regularly, but his inability to secure a win suggests he may be one-paced in a finish; Fan d’Apples is held on Lion’Angers form against him in May; Kiss Kiss has revealed some decent form in the past, but nothing since being pulled up in a Gr III at Auteuil in the Spring and is best watched.

The most encouraging indicators come from four: Jeriko de Kerser is a winner over course and distance, in a different race here 12 months ago, since when he has run just once, a distant 6th to Galant Chaba at Sennones in July, a race in which Speed Emile finished second; Easter Sunday is the 2l winner of the Grand Steeplechase de Toulouse at the end of May; Jibe de Dunes won the Grand Cross at Granville in August 2025 and is entered for its repeat this weekend; and 9 year old Premier Vert won at Haras du Pin last October, but hasn’t troubled the judge since. Despite his strong entry, there are other more obvious candidates, provided they stand their ground.

You’re never advised to leave François Nicolle out of the reckoning in major races, and in 6 year old Konfiner, he has a horse on the upgrade. Four from four in 2026, these have included facile wins at Pompadour in July which suggests this is a horse with upward momentum, ready for Gr I company.

Gabriel Leenders fields Dieppe winner Lady Lady whilst the Peltier combination have entered Keep Calm Dariyan, who continues to defy high weights in handicaps at Lignières, Lion d’Angers and Dieppe this summer.

The  final three include a pair under the guidance of Arnaud Chaille-Chaille in seven year old L’Arriabato, a recent handicap winner at Clarefontaine, and Heraliste, and the Anne-Laure Guidoux – trained winner of an amateurs cross country at Le Dorat, who will need to step up in class to win this.

Josef Aichner, one of the most prominent figures in Italian steeplechasing, has passed away at the age of 59. As recently as Sunday, Woods (Birchwood) did justice to his famous black and yellow silks by securing a final Group victory for him in the Criterium di Primavera. Over the years, these colours had become one of the symbols of steeplechase racing on the Italian peninsula.

A well-known entrepreneur in the property and construction sectors, Josef Aichner had discovered horse racing in 2007 thanks to Fatal Mac (Machiavellian). The latter had notably distinguished himself by winning the Cross delle Nazioni four times, the Italian leg of the Crystal Cup held in Merano.

From 2016 onwards, Scuderia Aichner had truly taken the sport to a new level. By investing in top-quality horses and drawing on the expertise of trainer Josef Váňa Jr, Josef Aichner had gradually built one of the most formidable jumps stables in Italy.

L’Estran in the legend of Merano

The first of his seven top-ranked Leading Owner titles came in 2019, thanks in particular to L’Estran (by Linda’s Lad). Having been claimed for €24,001 two years earlier, the horse had won his first Gran Premio Merano (GrI) that year.

L’Estran would go on to become a legend of this prestigious Italian race by adding three further victories to his record. With four consecutive wins between 2019 and 2022, he became one of the most iconic horses in the history of Merano Racecourse and the most famous ambassador for the Aichner colours.

Must-have colours for the Crystal Cup

The Crystal Cup also held a special place in Josef Aichner’s sporting career. His history with the European circuit had begun with Fatal Mac and his four victories in the Cross delle Nazioni, but it continued, several years later, through an ambitious overseas programme organised with Josef Váňa Jr.

Gap Pierji became Scuderia Aichner’s leading contender in the pan-European competition. During the 2023–2024 season, his performances in three legs saw him finish top of the individual standings and contribute to the first ever Czech victory in the history of the Crystal Cup, won jointly by Josef Váňa Jr. and Scuderia Aichner.

The following season, the black-and-yellow livery once again made its mark on the circuit through Aichner’s consistency and willingness to travel. Competing in more than half of the stages, Scuderia Aichner won the owners’ standings, driven in particular by Gap Pierji’s victory in Wrocław.

This momentum continued into the 2025–2026 season. Gap Pierji retained his title in the Polish leg in Wrocław and finished among the top horses on the circuit. Alongside him, Beau Saonois, Santa Klara and Brunch Royal also represented Josef Aichner in various of the European legs. This consistent presence – from Merano to Pardubice via Wrocław, Fontainebleau and Le Lion-d’Angers – was a testament to his passion for an international challenge.

More than 80 Group winners

The Scuderia Aichner colours have also been worn by many other champions. Mauricius (by Kapgarde) won several of Italy’s biggest hurdle races before passing the torch to the mare Kaja (by The Grey Gatsby).

Under the training of Josef Váňa Jr., Josef Aichner’s horses have secured over 80 Group victories in Italy, making their partnership one of the most successful in the recent history of Italian steeplechase racing.

Abroad, one of his most memorable victories will remain that of Suroit (by Linda’s Lad). Although not entirely at ease on the Merano course, the horse had found an ideal setting to shine in France. In 2023, he gave his owner a memorable victory in the Grand Prix de la Ville de Nice (Gr3), before finishing fifth in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris (GrI), up against the elite of French steeplechase racing.

With the passing of Josef Aichner, Italian and European racing have lost a passionate, ambitious owner who was deeply committed to the sport of steeplechasing. His black and yellow colours, worn at the very highest level in Italy and across Europe, will forever be associated with L’Estran, Merano and the Crystal Cup.