A new Crystal Cup campaign begins at Waregem on August 27th, with the first of 12 premier cross country steeplechases spanning seven European countries, and the chance to win over €800,000 in prize money.

22 horses are entered for Waregem, where there is a strong overseas challenge, led by last year’s overall Crystal Cup winner, Josef Vana. Vana and owner, Scuderia Aichner, whetted their appetite in France last year with Gap Pierji, and have 3 entries for this €100,000 handicap.

Volkov Jelois has improved on each of three appearances in steeplechases in France, the latest a 1l victory over Emmanuel Clayeux’s Fontannes at Vittel at the end of July. This is a step up in grade however.

Five year old Mandinko has been running in handicap and claiming company but hasn’t run since January of this year. He looks to have it all to do, even off a 57kg weight.

Scuderia Aichner also own Vezzana Ger, a five year old mare who wintered at Cagnes sur Mer, since when she has run into the frame in a listed steeplechase in Treviso and a Grade I hurdle in Milan before an uncharacteristic fall at Aix les Bains in mid July.

The other overseas challenger is from Peter Maher, Point-to-Point and cross country impressario in Ireland. Subset was pulled up in the final Crystal Cup event of Spring 2024 at Punchestown, behind Singing Banjo, and would need some improvement to figure here.

Among the French raiders, whom one might loosely describe as the home team, cross country king Patrice Quinton is represented by six entries in an effort to dominate this race again.

Fan d’Apples enjoyed a productive winter with wins at Compiegne and Pau, and comes here fresh from a bloodless 10l victory at Pompadour in mid-July.

General Desjy, owned by Haras d’Erable, hasn’t run since being runner-up in the corresponding race last year, and may need to run after such a long lay off. The same owner has entered Fanfaron Special, a 4l third in a class 2 steeplechase at Lignieres last month, and Heclypse Blue, who ran at this meeting last year, but hasn’t been on the track since October last.

Ecurie des Dunes has Vittel winner Gino des Dunes entered, whilst the Quinton sextet is made up by a Papot entry in Premier Vert, last a winner in 2020, but who ran a good race to finish second here in 2023.

Placenet represents David Cottin and is rare in being a horse switching back to running in France after England. His most recent effort was a 7l third in Dieppe’s listed grand Steeplechase over 4,400m. The Cottin stable also has Rosa Kleb, who has been knocking on the door in chases at Aix and Lyon.

Gabriel Leenders has Lion d’Angers winner Belaska and the younger Sweet David, who ran consistently well in the Spring.

Davide Satalia has also entered 3, including Jardin Secret, a 9 1/2l third in a valuable steeplechase at Dax at the end of June. The 11 year old Regaxos, now owned by Englishman James Finch, was a neck winner in an amateurs chase at Clarefontaine last month under Freddie Tett, whilst Imaginaire is still a maiden.

11 year old Ecoute en Tete is the runner to have won most among the 22 entries, but has struggled to find winning form in the last 18 months for Philippe & Camille Peltier, albeit running consistently.

Francois Nicolle can never be underestimated, and fields last year’s winner Polinuit, who sharpened up with a 3/4l second in a hurdle race at Pompadour last month, whilst I’m Walkin has been well beaten in longer cross country events at Corlay and Lignieres. This shorter trip may suit better.

The entries are completed by Jean Delaunay’s mare Ma Lili, whose sole winning effort was in a low grade chase at Questembert 14 months ago.

Scratchings take place on August 20th to hone down the field.