Hip Hop Conti will go to post a red-hot favourite on Sunday to land a third consecutive Grand Cross de Pau, following the final declarations which see the 19 entries whittle down to nine runners. The Emanuel Clayeux trained 7 year old relishes the stiff 6,300m test and impressive obstacles around Pau, and ground conditions to suit. Clement Lefebvre will take the ride again.

The race has a familiar refrain from 2024, with runner-up Saint Godefroy re-opposing, as well as Illico and Solingen, who made up the minor placings. Patrice Quinton, who has brought Saint Godefroy down from Dragey-Ronthon, also runs Hello de Sivola, who was paying his way without hitting the number one spot before parting company with his rider here at Pau 3 weeks ago in a shorter cross country over 4,700m. Between the pair, Quinton fares a reasonable chance of narrowing the gap on Crystal Cup leader Josef Vana, currently 11pts.

Any upset is most likely to come from Riskman, a 5l second to Iceo Madrik in the listed Grand Cross de Compiegne in November. This was, however, something of an anomaly, as the eventual winner was baulked early on, and ran his own race far in the rear until rejoining the field late on. The form may be questionable.

Isagirl is unproven over this distance, and the seven year old Ici Avrilly has 10 1/2l to make up on Hip Hop Conti based on their run in the Prix Mortimer Lassence here in mid December. At the very least, she should get the trip and may run into the minor placings.