The hotly contested sixth leg of the Crystal Cup – Compiegne’s Grand Cross Country – returned a French 1-2-3 as the town that hosted the capitulation of the German army on November 11th 1918 in that famous railway carriage, enjoyed a superb and eventful renewal of the steeplechase over 5,200m 96 years on.

Iceo Madrik, sent off favourite, was always among the leaders for Thomas Journiac, and made his weight allowance pay against the higher weighted Roi Mage and Fraga Has to win the €57,000 contest in the soft ground.

As the starter dropped his flag, it was Why and Roi Mage who made the running, the latter looking for a repeat of last year’s race, but this field was altogether stronger. The field was well bunched leaving the 7th, where Roi Mage lost his position turning sharp right handed out of the bend. Capitalizing on the change in the order, Riskman, who hadn’t run since March, and Beau Saonois, a recent fourth in the Wroclaw leg, both took closer order.

By fence 16 of the 27, the finishing order was almost set already, with Iceo Madrik leading Riskman and young pretender Fraga Has, but only 7l would have covered the field at the following fence. If you were good enough, there was still every opportunity.

At the bank, Riskman made good ground as Beau Saonois was awkward. He was one of three to exit the race at the sunken road, fence 20, along with long time leader Why and Silver Horse.

The race became a duel between Iceo Madrik and Fraga Has, with the improving Hemevoici putting in a good late effort. With the help of the rail to keep him straight, the favourite ran out a 5l winner over Riskman, Fraga Has a further 2 1/2l further back in 3rd, whilst Hemevoici’s challenge faultered.

Standings in the Crystal Cup leaderboard remain largely unchanged therefore. Josef Vana’s brave adventure to cement his lead did not pay off, but he remains 11pts clear of Patrice Quinton, with David Cottin and James Griffin in the frame. With a further 3 races in France before May, Vana may be obliged to run in England, Ireland or at Pau to maintain his momentum, whilst the odds are stacked in favour of the Crystal Cup returning to France, unless the British or Irish pull a rabbit out of the hat. With Roi Mage being aimed at the Irish Grand National, that seems unlikely.

The 134th running of the famous Velka Pardubicka produced a heart-stopping result yesterday resulting in the first ever dead-heat in the history of the 6,900m (4m) race.

Sexy Lord, a well-beaten third here in a shorter qualifying race back in August, found the longer trip to his liking under Jan Faltjestek, but the renewed challenge in the final yards by Godfrey, successful here, a winner last time out back in May, under strong driving from Jaroslav Myska, was just enough for the judge to be unable to separate the pair on the line.

French-bred and ridden Dulcar de Sivola, under Thomas Beaurain, was 4 1/2l back in third, and heads to Compiegne next month, where he may meet Roi Mage, winner of the Crystal Cup leg at Craon.

It was a first win in the race for trainer of Godfrey, Török Dalibor, whilst Sexy Lord’s handler Martina Růžičková was enjoying a second victory in Czechia’s most prestigious steeplechase, 8 years on from last time.

The international challenge, led by highest-rated in the field, Coko Beach, came to nought, when Keith Donoughue was unseated four out when travelling well. Streets of Doyen, the other Irish challenger, also unseated Ben Harvey at the same fence.

Courageous challenger Jeremy Pass, trained in the US by Joseph Davies, was pulled up by amateur rider Teddy Davies.

Sexy Lord’s rider, Jaroslav Myska, leads the field on the first circuit

Once again, local knowledge proved invaluable in a race with a strong international challenge, but this unique course, over different types of terrain and configuration, lends itself to horses that have already run over course, and/or distance. All 10 of the finishers had qualified over the course, and it requires either a highly adaptable horse or an exceptional one (or both) to succeed here.

It’s a Czech clean sweep, excepting French rider Thomas Beaurain, fourth from left, who finished 3rd on Dulcar de Sivola