A maximum of 14 will go to post for the finale of this year’s Crystal Cup at Lion d’Angers next Thursday, with an all-French field littered with previous winners of France’s longest race.

The popular 7,300m (4m 4f) cross country is a feature of Lion d’Angers’ annual calendar, and with good reason. The € 95,000 prize for this listed chase is € 40,000 more than the standard return for listed races, and the unique range of obstacles requires a versatile performer, and not merely a dour stayer.

Patrice Quinton has entered four, and whilst he has a choice of entries, the first two from 2025 will be at the top of many lists to repeat the exercise. In that instance 12 months ago, Gold Allen had 10l to spare over Shawinigan, and the choice of stable jockey Clement Lefebvre will be a good guide to their respective chances.

Quinton’s other entries include the seven year old Captain du Berlais, an 8 1/2l third to Klitchko de Belair in the Grand Cross de Lignières recently, and the veteran Hello de Sivola, who also filled the minor placings with a 12l third in Strasbourg’s Grand Cross. He will certainly need this distance, but as Vital Island proved at Punchestown last week, older horses can retain their form over these longer distances.

A British connection with this race is maintained by Joker Cauvelliere, under the guidance of Jacques Delaunay, and owned by former British and Irish trainer Sue Bramall. Now in her eighties, Sue enjoyed success at the Cheltenham Festival with Antonin in 1994. The seven year old has never run over this extended trip, but was successful over a shorter 4,100m at Pau over the winter, relegating Hello de Sivola to a 7l second place when in receipt of 4kg. They now re-oppose on level terms.

Philippe and Camille Peltier also have a strong hand with three entries, including Miss Laura, fourth in this race 24 months ago, and whose rider parted company with the 11 year old mare in last year’s renewal. Stablemate Illico has been running consistently over shorter distances, without quite hitting the sweet spot.  Also with solid credentials is 10 year old Great du Large, 1 4 1/2l fourth to Saturne Pelem here at Lion d’Angers last month, a race in which Miss Laura missed out by a short head, and Joker Cauvelliere was out back.

On the basis of that run at Lion d’Angers a month ago, Saturne Pelem has to come into the reckoning. Joel Juillet’s 8 year old, trained by William Menuet, ran on gamely to fend off the late finish of Miss Laura, his first victory since 2024. This is, however, something of a step up in class, albeit that the cross country population is quite condensed, with high transferability between grades. The form is solid however, with a number of the entries behind, including the not yet mentioned Gemini d’Ax.

Another youngster on the upgrade is Job d’Ete, a 3/4l second in a 4,500m cross country at Lion d’Angers last month, trained by Sebastien Zuliani. The winner in that race, Hiso, re-opposes on better terms, Illico was back in third on that day, with Hersant de Mee well held.

A full list of the entries is here with final declarations on Tuesday.