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The Lageneste – Macaire stable produced a second Crystal Cup Series win at Fontainebleau this afternoon, as 7 year old Klitchko de Belair outstayed his rivals to score a 2l victory over Gold Allen in this feature 6,000m contest.

The holding ground seemed to hold no fears for the son of Walzertakt, winner of the Compiegne leg in November, and maintaining an unbeaten record of 2/2 in 2026. Always handy, the favourite was pushed up into the lead at the 16th of the 22 fences, and made the best of his way home, finishing with plenty of gusto to justify near even money support.

Gold Allen and Miss Laura, both veterans of this genre of racing, harried the favourite over the final mile, but the younger horse defied top weight and the concession of 4 and 5kg respectively to assert his authority under Kilian Dubourg.

The field was well bunched for much of the race, runners jostling for position. Only Elcond ‘Or Forlonge, always the back marker, never really figured, and he was losing touch when pulled up at the 18th.

Co-trainer Hector de Lagneste commented, “He loves this type of race. he’s been in great form and we took advantage. We’ll have a look at his programme to come; he might head for Craon.”

Crystal Cup Chair Hugues Crosnier with trainer Hector de Lageneste (left) of our leading light, with Kilian Dubourg and remaining connections

With a race in Ireland and a final race in France, this listed contest held no great relevance for the destination of this year’s Crystal Cup. The Owners’ trophy looks in the bag with gallant travellers Scuderia Aichner in a league of their own. Possession of the Trainers’ prize could be in question if Gavin Cromwell fields several and fills the places in Punchestown’s La Touche in a month’s time. A result there would force both he and Josef Vana to field runners in France’s longest race and the Crystal Cup finale, the Anjou-Loire Challenge on May 14th.

See the full result here

Runners for the Grand Cross de Fontainebleau are now declared, and an initial entry of 14 has reduced to eight, but a splendid eight at that. We are in for a treat of a race.  Winners of 40 races between them and €1,240,515 in prize money, a clash of generations sees new pretenders try their mettle against the older generation.

Patrice Quinton, who has few peers in this particular genre of the sport, has retained two of his three entries, led by Gold Allen, winner of the marathon Anjou Loire Challenge at Lion d’Angers last May, and the ten year old would be a popular winner for his elderly owners. Clement Lefebvre takes the mount in preference to the stable second string.

Carrying 2kg less, relative newcomer Encore Une Belle is yet to win over cross country obstacles. There’s a first time for everything however, and she has been running with credit into the minor placings over the winter, most recently over Fontainebleau’s shorter 4,600m course earlier in the month. This is her first time over this extended distance, perhaps hoping to blunt the finishing speed of her rivals.

French steeplechasers start early so by gallic standards, the 11 year old Miss Laura is in the twilight of here career. But what a career though, with 17 wins from 43 runs, her strike rate is impressive. In this, her eighth season of racing, she has only failed to win in one season. This is her opening bow of 2026 however, but she’s won first time out after the winter break before, and the trainer combo of Philippe and Camille Peltier will have her primed to continue where she left off, particularly as she is handily weighted against horses she’s beaten before whilst giving weight. Matthieu Chailloleau comes in for the ride.

The field is headed by Klitchko de Belair, who has been running admirably at this level since winning at Craon last June. He was a 3l second to Roi Mage in Craon’s Grand Cross last September, and had Jade de la Roque 13l in arrears when winning Compiegne’s Grand Cross in November too. Those two victories have won him a penalty of 7kg extra, but at just 7, he has a few years on some of his rivals here that are more exposed, and as the only representative of the Lageneste-Macaire stable, he merits strong consideration under stable jockey Kilian Dubourg.

It’s difficult to make a strong case for Hemevoici, whilst Elcond’or Forlonge is back running over longer trips after a spell over shorter distances. In three previous attempts over distances in excess of 5,000m, the 10 year old gelding won once, fell once and was pulled up in the other contest, so we know he’ll stay but is he up to this higher class of race? He’s the sort who may well scrape a place, particularly with Cravache d’Or rider Felix de Giles in the plate.

Of the remaining two, Desert Storm looks out of his depth, but Cape of Love has not finished out of the frame in four races around Fontainebleau this winter, and the winning distances have been short each time. This is a first step up to a longer distance  which may bring his stamina into play for trainer Christian Dubourg.

See the full field here

Fourteen entries comprise leg 10 of the Crystal Cup as it descends upon Fontainebleau this Sunday and with an all-French field, it’s an opportunity for the traditional leaders in the Crystal Cup to reassert their credentials, although the chances of a French victor carrying off this year’s Crystal Cup are minimal.

The field is headed by Klitchko de Belair, who has been running admirably at this level since winning at Craon last June. He was a 3l second to Roi Mage in Craon’s Grand Cross last September, and had Jade de la Roque 13l in arrears when winning Compiegne’s Grand Cross in November too. Those two victories have won him a penalty of 7kg extra, but at just 7, he has a few years on some of his rivals here that are more exposed, and as the only representative of the Lageneste-Macaire stable, he is likely to stand his ground.

Patrice Quinton has a choice of three candidates to declare. Shawinigen has run some great races, including a noble second to Gold Allen in the Anjou-Loire Challenge of last year, and a stirring victory at Haras du Pin where he nabbed Klitchko de Belair on the line when in receipt of 3kg. This longer distance should not inconvenience him.

Stable mate Gold Allen was well behind in that race, yet brought out his best at Lion d’Angers last may for the longest race in the calendar, and is likely being prepped for a repeat for nonogenarian owner Mme Patrick Papot.

Quinton may also introduce 7 year old mare Encore Une Belle who has been running over shorter distances, so far without striking gold. off a weight of just 66kg, however, the scales are gradually turning in her favour.

Also stepping up in trip for the first time is 6 year old mare Katell des Blins, trained by Kevin Communier. She’s not run over more than 4,650m before, but carries a penalty for two wins at Pau in January, both within 10 days of each other.

Hemevoici under the guidance of Francois Nicolle, who attended Cheltenham, was a distant fifth at Lignières recently but won an amateur cross country at Pau back in January over a shorter trip.

Emanuel Clayeux has a choice of two entries in Irundo and Ilbao. Irundo is stepping up both in trip and class, this his first race over more than 5,200m. He had Encore Une Belle behind when winning over a shorter distance here at Fontainebleau earlier this month and is on a hat-trick. Ilbao has a bit to find on his attempts to date although he ran Etonnant to 2 1/2l at Lyon earlier this month.

Philippe Peltier has Miss Laura entered, a mare that has given immeasurable pleasure to her co-owner Daniel Miloux. The 11 year old has won 17 of her 43 races and appears to be improving with age. Three victories in 2025 included cross countries at Lion d’Angers, Saumur and Durtal, and she is handily weighted against horses she’s previously given weight to. Despite being the old lady of the field, she is still quite capable of upsetting the odds.

Elcond ‘Or Forlonge has run consistently well at Fontainebleau, and took the shorter Colonel Bernard Marlin Challenge here in November. He has the makings of a place.

It’s difficult to make a case for Desert Storm, maiden Cape Of Love or Royal Paloma. Last word perhaps for Jade de la Roque, who meets Klitchko de Belair on 5kg better terms than when a 13l second at Compiegne in November. Even so, the winner won with something in hand, but Spring ground may allow her to keep closer order.

Full entries here. Declarations Thursday.

Velka Pardubicka winner Stumptown bids for back to back Festival success in Wednesday’s Glenfarlcas Cross Country Handicap Chase on the second day of the annual Cheltenham Festival, and punters look set to send him off favourite in the fourteen runner field for leg 9 of the Crystal Cup.

Rarely has a Festival race been so dominated by horses from Ireland as this. Just four runners hail from the home team, the last of the European entries withdrawn at 48 declaration stage. Indeed, it looks a straight fight between the yards of Gordon Elliott, who fields four against Gavin Cromwell’s three. Only Martin Brassil or Nicky Richards seem capable of upsetting an inevitable victory by these two leading pretenders.

Stumptown has been tenderly handled this season, opening his account in Pardubice last October with an accomplished win in the Czech Republic’s most famous steeplechase. That performance and his 7l win over Latenightpass in the corresponding race last year have landed him top weight of 11st 10, but rider Keith Donoughue has no peer over these fences, and will take the shortest route.

Cromwell fields veteran Vanillier and December Crystal Cup winner here over the same course and distance, Final Orders, but Donoughue has opted for the market leader, which tells its own story in a race where experience counts double.

A resurgent Caloundra is looking to bounce back after a torrid Cheltenham 12 months ago, and in Favori de Champdou, Elliott and Gigginstown look to have unearthed a suitable candidate to put them in with a big shout for another Festival cross country  success, from a yard more than familiar with the race after Tiger Roll (3) and Delta Work (1).

Favori de Champdou pulled hard and hit the floor in his first outing over the cross country obstacles in December, but has made good since in the valuable Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, and subsequently here at Cheltenham at the end of January, a race postponed from early autumn when the course was unfit. He was a comfortable 8l winner that day with Latenightpass and Final Orders well held.

If there’s to be an upset, then it may come from Desertmore House. Martin Brassil’s 11year old has spent much of his career in top class handicap company, but showed a liking for the cross country genre in Punchestown’s La Touche last May, running Busseltown to a 3/4l second, and following up over the same course albeit a shorter distance in January, with Final Orders, Vanillier and the perennial The Goffer behind. Whilst in the twilight of his career, he can capitalize on any weakness among the top two in the market.

Lower down the handicap, the sole British raider not yet exposed at this level is Nicky Richards’ Famous Bridge. This autumn’s performances have not troubled the judge much, but on a line through his disqualified first place in Haydock’s Grand National Trial of February 2025, he’d merit consideration if he takes to the unorthodox style of fences.

As to the Crystal Cup standings, a win for Cromwell would bring him within hailing distance of long time leader Josef Vana, but that ship has by and large sailed. Stumptown could yet, however, pull off the accolade of Leading Horse.

For a final list of runners & riders, click here