Ramuntcho is the sole withdrawal from Saturday’s Premio Della Nazione Marco Rocca Memorial Chase at Merano, leg 3 of the Crystal Cup, following final declarations in a race that amounts to a showdown between the two leading protagonists in the unique European cross country chase series. Eight runners will go to post in Italy’s premier cross country chase.

Until 2 years ago, Normandy-based Patrice Quinton had a virtual monopoly on the overall title of the Crystal Cup, until Czech trainer Josef Vana decided to apply himself to the task. Using almost exclusively French-bred chasers, he won the title outright in 2024, and narrowly surrendered it in 2025.

This year’s Crystal Cup, which concludes at Lion d’Angers next May after 12 legs, is currently led by the Macaire/Lageneste stable, but that is sure to change after the weekend, where Vana fields no less than half the field for the € 40,000 race over 6,000m.

There’s a long history of success in Jump racing for Vana, whose father (also Josef) won the Czech leg, the Velka Pardubicka, no less than 8 times as a rider. Last year, he followed a similar pattern of flooding the race with runners, only to find Christian Ghiotti’s Zubiena too good. Zubiena lines up to repeat the feat, but hasn’t won since, although was far from discredited when running over 5,000m at Merano at the end of August, a race won well by Gap Pierji, with Group III winner Younes running on strongly in the closing stages.

Gap Pierji has become Vana’s standing dish in Crystal Cup events, winning last year in Poland, and filling the frame in a Velka Pardubicka qualifier at Pardubice. He’s the choice of Vana’s first jockey Jan Kratochvil, which tells its own story of the relative prospects of the quartet.

Almost Human was second in this race 12 months ago, and has run admirably consistently in shorter distance races at Merano since April. He was beaten a distance behind stable mate Laldann at Merano in August, with both Gap Pierji and Zubiena in front. At 12, his best days may be behind him at this level.

Laldann is twice a winner over shorter distances at Merano this summer, and was held to a 2 1/2l second by Younes in June, conceding a kilo. The weight differential is reversed this time around, with Younes carrying the 1 kg penalty, so they’re well matched.

The last of the quartet, Brunch Royal, has been running in France recently but was pulled up in the Merano contest won by Gap Pierji in August. He has to be the outsider here although a false pace can set up bizarre results.

Quinton’s challenge centres around Flavius and 6 year old Jeriko de Kerser. Third in this race 12 months ago, Flavius came off second best to stable companion Jeriko de Kerser in a 4,600m chase at Waregem earlier in the month, the pair skirting the longer Crystal Cup Grand Prix de Flandres. This looks an easier race, but whilst the younger horse has to concede a further 1/2kg, there’s little to suggest he cannot shoulder it. This remains a step up in class from the standard he’s maintained in his home France.

Which leaves Younes, trained in the Czech Republic by Zdeněk Seménka. Doing his best work at the end of the race won by Gap Pierji here in late August, he went down by 2 1/2l when conceding 3kg. The conditions here enable him to carry just 1kg more than the rest of the field and Jeriko de Kerser, which should put him bang in contention.

A strong pace would suit Younes, who is fancied to win from the youngster in the field, Jeriko de Kerser. Either way, there is one guarantee: vociferous support for the Czech raiders from a party of over 80 British spectators, courtesy of Crystal Cup official travel operator Venatour.

For the full field click here.

The 135th running of the Velka Pardubicka has attracted a solid 16 entries that include two of the first three 12 months ago, and the best cross country horse in Britain and Ireland.

Of the home team, Sexy Lord, who with Godfrey, delivered the first ever dead-heat in the Velka’s history, is lined up to win the race outright this time around by trainer Martina Růžičková in the level weights contest over 6,900m (4 1/2m). The nine year old has run sparingly since, qualifying for this race in May with victory in a 500,000 Kč (£20,000) chase over 5,800m at Pardubice. Regular rider Jaroslav Myška is likely to be engaged again.

The paucity of Czech riders saw Thomas Beaurain take the ride on Dulcar de Sivola in last year’s race for trainer Luboš Urbánek, and the ploy nearly worked. The 12 year old French-bred was only 4 1/2l behind that epic finish. He looks to be coming to hand nicely for next month, after a couple of pipe-openers and a recent comfortable win in a qualifier at Pardubice earlier in the month. Second-placed Araucarias renews rivalry for trainer Veronika Lampochnerová, but the French-bred is yet to win since he left France last year, a cross country over 4,100m at Pau in February 2024 his last view of the winner’s berth. Lampochnerová has also entered Zarate, a first ride at Pardubice last year for James Best when third to Dumon Roclay in a supporting race.

Charyjape, Klark Kent and Cuwall all have ground to make up on Dulcar de Sivola on qualifying races at Pardubice this summer, albeit that age is on their side, being 8 year olds.

Another 8 year old, Dumon Roclay, was a winner of a shorter steeplechase preceding the Velka Pardubicka 12 months ago, a stepping stone to the big race. He opened his Spring with a comfortable win over 2,900m but has found the winning formula harder to come by since.

It’s difficult to make any sort of case for Godsalino or for High In The Sky, despite the latter running into the minor placings twice this summer, at a respectful distance from the winner each time.

Now 12, Sacamiro won the Velka Pardubicka in 2023, but was off the track for the whole of 2024. He’s yet to find the same form that preceded the break, his best a 5l fourth to Chelmsford at Pardubice in August. Nevertheless, experience counts for a great deal around this race, and the trainer – rider combination of Eva Petříková and Jan Faltejsek offers some hope of a dream comeback.

This looks a tough ask for six year old Stormmy, yet to win over fences, but nine year old Ztracenka is not out of it, a half length second to Sexy Lord here in May his main credentials.

Foreign runners have a poor record at Pardubice, and there has been no British or Irish winner since It’s A Snip in 1995, 30 years ago. However, the efforts of Coko Beach last year have encouraged Gavin Cromwell to enter Stumptown, winner of 7 chases, who has taken well to cross country racing. A winner twice over Cheltenham’s cross country course last season, including at the Festival, Stumptown flung Cromwell briefly into the running for Crystal Cup honours, and this might define his challenge in the prevailing season.

The international challenge is made up by the Peter Maher – trained Cavalry Master. The former Gordon Elliott- trained Cavalry Master has a mixed record over cross country obstacles, but was only just out of the finish in a recent handicap at Galway. On his official rating, he’d have something to find, but the unique nature of the Velka can encourage performance well outside the norm, and in Maher, he has a trainer well versed in these types of international race.

A further supplementary entry is available until October 2nd.

Nine entries make up the Italian leg of the Crystal Cup, with Josef Vana determined to wrest back a lead in the 12 race challenge. The Czech trainer is a keen supporter of Merano all told, with entries across the whole weekend, but his five entries dominate the €40,000 contest.

The team is led by 13 year old Almost Human, second in this race last year with Flavius and Laldann behind, but he’s advancing in years, and may not be the logical choice this time around.

Vana fields three other recent winners in the aforementioned Laldann, now 10, and winner of 13 of his 27 starts. He comes to this from a successful summer that began with a head victory over stable companion Almost Human and Younes, also entered in the race. He had Zubiena and Almost Human behind in his most recent run, a 1 1/2l beating of Gap Pierji at Merano at the start of August. Gap Pierji gave Zubiena a 2 1/2l beating in a 5,000m chase here at Merano earlier in the month.

Six year old Ramuntcho comes here on the back of 2 Merano scalps in May and June, the first of these a narrow victory over Younes. Both of those races were over 4,100m, and he had to give second best to stable companion Beau Saonais earlier this month in a longer race over 5,000m. He is unproven over this extended trip, so there has to be a doubt over his stamina based on that most recent run.

Outsider of the Vana quintet is Brunch Royal. At 12, his best years may be behind him, and he hasn’t won since 2022, although he’s been running into the frame in good class races at home in Pardubice.

Patrice Quinton fields two among the 9 entries, including last year’s third, Flavius. Flavius took the easier option at Waregem earlier in the month, skirting the Crystal Cup steeplechase in favour of the shorter 4,600m contest, in which he finished second to stable companion Jeriko de Kerser. This six year old is another from the Ecurie des Dunes, and has been running admirably consistently, albeit he’s never tried this extended trip.

The entries are made up by the 10 year old Zubiena, aiming for back to back wins in this race, but yet to find the wining thread again since that day, and Younes, winner of a Group III chase here in June, where he had three of the field behind, in laldann, Almost Human and Gap Pierji. Trainer Seménka Zdenĕk brought the 7 year old back to Merano at the end of August to finish a 2 1/2l second to Gap Pierji, with Zubiena and Brunch Royal behind.

All in all, not the most consistent form lines among the contenders, which may narrow down with the weights on Wednesday.

In a weekend where Arc aspirants had their reputations enhanced and punctured alike at Longchamp and in Germany, a stalwart of the racing scene some 10 years older was cheered to the rafters when winning Craon’s marquee event of the year, the listed €79,000 Louis de Guebriant Cross Country, deep in Jump racing’s French heartland.

Thirteen year old Roi Mage, winner of 10 of his 45 chases, added to an impressive career total, bringing his earnings up to over £950,000 with a copybook race that mirrored his commanding performance in this race in 2024, the winning margin this year reduced to 3l from the best of the younger generation, Klitschko de Belair.

The reasons why French, British & Irish alike all warm to a staying chase were here on display: jumping prowess, courage, and grit. Roi Mage, always handy behind the front-running Klitschko de Belair, 7 years his junior, and the upcoming Horus’d’Aubrelle, on a four-timer, took the shortest route under James Reveley, and took up the running altogether from the 10th after mistakes from the leader.

Jumping fence to fence, ears pricked, Roi Mage led the rest of the field a merry dance with an enthusiasm that belies his age. Horus d’Aubrelle fell at the 18th, and Reveley was able to get a brether into the old horse before the final 3 fences, where Demon de Fleur and Klitshko de Belair closed. Briefly headed, the old stager fought back and regained the lead at the last to win by 3l.

James Griffin, who has pioneered Roi Mage’s unique route around Europe’s staying chases, remarked, “This horse is a touch of class. We arrived Thursday, and he knew exactly where we were.

“He strutted around the paddock like he owned the place. The race was almost a carbon copy of last year. They played  Amhrán na bhFiann (The Soldier’s Song) for the presentations, with Criquette Head in attendance.   Guillaume Macaire (trainer of the second) came up to me afterwards and said, “Congratulations! I really mean it.”

Praise indeed from the master of the French jumping scene, and perhaps from one of the Flat too.

Macaire had good reason to feel frustrated, but his second place enhances his place at the head of the Crystal Cup leaderboard, with 18pts, Patrice Quinton and Josef Vana, neither of whom ran horses at Craon, some 7pts behind. Early days indeed in the 12 race series, but encouragement indeed for Macaire to enter horses outside France perhaps.

Roi Mage meantime ate up post race without any qualms. “He’ll head for the Becher Chase next,” reported Griffin. “We won’t go back to Compiegne…. Then we’ll see. The horse will tell us if he retains appetite for more.”

Balthazar King won this race 3 years 20 years ago, which record is a temptation, but Griffin is admirably grounded. As for Roi Mage, or “Frenchie” as he’s originally labelled at home, he’ll take it one race at a time.

See full result here

Corlay’s Grand Cross in June holds the key to a competitive renewal of Craon’s listed Prix Super U Grand Cross on Sunday, when the Lageneste-Macaire stable will look to consolidate its lead in this year’s nascent Crystal Cup in the absence of runners from the other main protagonists.

In that Corlay race, Horus d’Aubrelle, trained by Augustin Boisbrunet for Frederic Boistier, had 6l to spare over Roi Mage with Gamsoul a further 6 1/2l in third. Both meet on better terms, but 8 year old Horus d’Aubrelle is on a winning streak, with three from three in 2025, and looks to be improving. The Mathes – based 37 year old is gaining a strong reputation amid the Jumping community.

Roi Mage has been a terrific ambassador for the Crystal Cup, winning this race 12 months ago in style, and it has been his target since the off. Trainer James Griffin has spearheaded his French route through the best long distance chases in Britain &  Ireland with some success, but the winner’s enclosure has eluded him since that memorable win here a year ago, and he is in the twilight of his career at 13. He may not have the legs on some of the younger upstarts.

Gamsoul is another with miles on the clock. The nine year old has run in 39 races, for seven victories, but he looks a little below top class. His one 2025 victory in a busy year to date was in a Class 3 cross country over a shorter distance at FOntainebleau in March.

Trainer Eric Leray may well be placing more faith on his second runner in the race, Google de Loued. The nine year old was bested only 1/2l by the well-regarded Iloa Conti in Segré’s Grand Cross in late July, a Trophée National de Cross qualifier – usually a benchmark of the best of the genre, with good horses like Miss Laura behind, having won a handicap over 4,600m the previous month in determined fashion.

The Lageneste-Macaire stable come here fresh from a winning start in the Crystal Cup at Waregem on Tuesday, fielding 6 year old Klitchko de Belair, who is on the upgrade. The gelding prepped for this listed contest by winning over the same track here in June, but was well beaten behind Destin Sacre at Vittel in mid-July. He is unproven in Graded company as yet.

In that same Craon contest in June, the Pacault – trained Gare du Marin was a 12l third, and has something to make up to figure here, as does Speed des Landes, trained here at Craon by Nicolas Paysan, the second in that race. Speed des Landes has ground to make up on Demon de Fleur. Julien de Chevalier’s 12 year old had the best of Speed des Landes last month at Lion d’Angers, but he too has something to find to step up to listed company.

The field is completed by Imaginaire, a second and not unfancied runner for Augustin Boisbrunet for Englishmen Tobias Jones and Samuel Sutton. Imaginaire is two from three so far in 2025, with wins at Lignieres and Compiegne to his name, both run in very different ground. He has the measure of Speed des Landes on the Lignieres running but this is a higher class of race altogether.

Horus d’Aubrelle is fancied to continue his winning streak, with Google de Loued and Roi Mage the main dangers.