An initial entry of 25 has whittled down to 7 runners for the first leg of the Crystal Cup, the €100,000 ING Grand Steeplechase de Flandres, at Waregem on Tuesday, in what looks a showdown between the leading proponents of cross country racing: Patrice Quinton and Josef Vana. However, whilst they field five of the seven, others may well spoil the party.

Topping the handicap at 70kg is the 2024 winner Placenet, bested into second place 12 months ago, and whose campaign since has been in pursuit of Cheltenham glory over the cross country obstacles at Jump racing’s HQ. It was no disgrace to finish 10 1/2l 4th to Final Orders at Cheltenham in December, and he’s subsequently been placed at Compiegne, on both occasions playing second fiddle to his owner’s Iceo Madrik. He comes here from a sharpener in a hurdle race at Compiegne. Over a distance too short for him, he never really got on terms before parting company with his jockey at the last, but he clearly relishes this course based on form figures at Waregem of 1-2. This could readily be his opportunity to win another big contest for octogenarian British owner Caroline Tisdall.

Heraliste is the other interloper in this private duel between Quinton and Vana. trained by Arnaud Chaille-Chaille, he comes here from placed efforts in lower grade chases at Dieppe and Lion d”Angers. Receiving 8kg from the top weight gives him some sort of chance, but this would be his first win at this level since a Gr III at Auteuil 23 months ago.

Vana’s pair are both French-breds purchased for leading owner Josef Aichner, whose family are continuing his enthusiasm for the sport following his death in mid-summer. Ches Demonmirail fell here 12 months ago, but based on his performances at Merano this summer, he’s got his act together, listing a win and second place at listed level, and a second berth at Gr II. Whilst the quality of Italian Graded races does not necessarily match French, British or Irish, he’s a progressive gelding reaching the peak of his ability.

Six year old Krokodile Dundee has also enjoyed a successful summer at Merano and Pardubice, but despite receiving 3.5kg from the top weight, he has still to improve to win this. Stable jockey Josef Bartos has chosen the younger horse in favour of Ches Demonmirail, which tells its own story.

And so to the King of the Grand Steeplechase de Flandres: Patrice Quinton. Were the race to enjoy a perpetual trophy, it barely merited it leaving Quinton HQ in Dragey-Ronthon during the second decade of the C21st. Ten consecutive winners of the race between 2011 and 2021 were only spoiled by the cancellation of the race in 2020 through the pandemic. Royal Fou (2011), Martalin (2012-14), Taupin Rochelais (2015-18), Calisco de Kerser (2019) and Gino des Dunes (2021) stretched a spectacular unbroken sequence which might have continued but for the last two runnings. The last British winner was in 1975: Kildagin, owned by Tommy Pilkington and ridden by John Sutherne. I find myself asking why the British and irish have largely ignored such a valuable contest this early in the season: a perfect opportunity for summer jumping horses rated 125+.

Quinton saddles 3 in Fan d’Apples, General Desjy, and Premier Vert.

Fan d’Apples showed good speed to see off 9 rivals in a limited handicap at Dieppe at the end of June off top weight, and followed up running on at one pace when well beaten at Clarefontaine a month later.

General Desjy was third in this race back in 2023, but he has plenty to find on his 14l second at Pompadour at the start of August. He is however the preferred mount of Cravache d’Or rider Felix de Giles, so hopes must rest on him from Quinton’s Normandy base.

Premier Vert was behind his stablemate in the Pompadour race, but was a comprehensive winner last autumn over a similar distance at Haras du Pin. You can never rule out a Quinton runner, but he looks the least likely of the trio.

A fascinating contest in prospect then, which may shape the final destination of the Crystal Cup next May.

Full list of runners here.