Just two races remain in this year’s Crystal Cup, with 14 declared for the sole Irish leg at Punchestown on Thursday, a unique race which features banks larger than any among our other races. The €40,000 contest is at the bottom end of the spectrum for prize money, but right at the top for entertainment value.

Had the leaderboard been a little closer, it might have been enough to flush out a French or Czech contender, but with just one runner, second-placed Gavin Cromwell will have to run at least one horse, probably more, to overtake his Czech rival at Lion d’Angers in a fortnight and win on Thursday as well.  The destination for both the owner’s and trainer’s prize looks set for a return to the Czech Republic therefore.

However, Cromwell will not have the Mongey Communications La Touche all to himself. Vanillier has a punishing 12st 3 to carry over this extended 4m trip, and we’re 13 months on from the moment he might have covered himself in glory but for taking the wrong course when leading the festival cross country at Cheltenham in 2025. That said, he ran well to finish a 20l third to stablemate Final Orders in this race, and is a course winner here in February. He’ll know his way around under Keith Donoghue for sure.

Vanillier shares top weight with Outside The Door, trained in Kildare by Padraig Roche, whose best effort these past 12 months is a 15l second in a 0-145 handicap here 12 months back. He’s since won a lower grade race at Wexford, but this is a first tilt at this distance.

The first and second in this race last year re-oppose. Busselton came out best that time around, and has since changed stables to the king of cross country, Enda Bolger. On that occasion, Desertmore House gave way by 3/4l. Both carry an extra 5lb this year, and if Desertmore House repeats the form that won him a similar banks race here in November, he looks a big player (see Race 1 in film beneath). On that occasion, he saw off the Goffer, Vanillier, Busselton, Outside The Door and veteran Vital Island. Ricky Doyle rides for Martin Brassil and he has to be in your shortlist.

Another on the shortlist is The Goffer, whom Gordon Elliott will be hoping adds to his efforts to become champion trainer in Ireland. On his best efforts, he’s not been far away from Vanillier here in February or Desertmore House in November. With better luck in running, those tables might be turned to provide a third career win over fences under Rules.

Dorans Law is debuting on cross country racing, whilst Shannon Royale is well held on course form by Vanillier.

The remainder of the field has already been dismissed by oddsmakers, with prices in excess of 25/1. Notable among these, Vital Island’s best days are behind him; Bodhisattva has not won in 3 years, and was beaten over 50l behind Stumptown on his one previous cross country outing; Benny The Duke was out with the washing in this race 12 months ago; Walking On Glass is well held on November form with Desertmore House, a race in which Lough Derg Spirit unseated his rider.

Two of the outsiders need a special mention. Cavalry Master ran prominently in Stumptown’s Velka Pardubicka Chase in October before fading and running on at one pace, whilst The Bosses Oscar ran Desertmore House to 3/4l in a Damma House Point-to-Point in November. If repeating that form when under the guidance of Gordon Elliott, then he might produce a springer.

For a full list of runners and riders, see here